New York City – Brooklyn Councilmembers Rally At City Hall Against School Vouchers and Childcare Cuts

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    Councilmember David Greenfield who organized the event at podium, attended by over 100 childcare advocates, educators, and union organizers.  Also in attendance  Councilmembers Lew Fidler, Erik Dilan, Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, Mike Nelson, Jumaane Williams and Mathieu Eugene, as well as representatives from the offices of Councilmembers Letitia James and Al Vann.  Photo credit: William Alatriste, New York City Council. New York City – Over 100 educators, childcare advocates, and labor organizers from across Brooklyn joined Councilmembers David Greenfield, Lew Fidler, Erik Dilan, Brad Lander, Stephen Levin, Mike Nelson, Jumaane Williams and Mathieu Eugene on the steps of City Hall today to protest proposed cuts to childcare funding. Councilmembers Tish James and Al Vann were also represented. In total, 10 of the 16 Brooklyn members of the City Council were represented at this rally organized by Councilman David Greenfield.

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    “It is our job to protect this city’s most vulnerable, and no one is more vulnerable than our children,” said Councilman Greenfield. “That is why we are demanding that our children not bear the disproportionate brunt of budget cuts. In a sixty-four billion dollar budget, we must find a way to restore twenty-four million dollars to ensure that our must vulnerable children can continue to receive childcare.”

    Most devastating are the elimination of Priority 7 childcare vouchers and the closure of 16 ACS-operated daycare centers, which will disproportionally impact Brooklyn residents. Of the 16 centers slated for closure citywide, 10 centers are in Brooklyn and the majority of the over 1,000 families receiving priority 7 vouchers reside in Brooklyn. Priority 7 vouchers are generally given to families who are below the poverty level (making less than $22,000 a year for a family of four) and are in special need of child care.

    “Cuts to daycares and Priority 7 vouchers hurt families, and make parents choose between working to pay for family expenses and their children,” said Councilmember Fidler.

    “Mayor Bloomberg’s budget unfairly punishes Brooklyn kids — with harsh and disproportionate cuts that would eliminate Priority 7 vouchers and shutter day care centers that families rely on,” said Councilmember Lander. “Brooklyn families — from Borough Park to Bedford-Stuyvesant — are being asked to shoulder too much of the burden of tough economic times. We are calling on Mayor Bloomberg to restore these critical programs.”

    Priority 7 vouchers are used by struggling families to pay for day care and after-school programs for their children. If Priority 7 is eliminated, these children will have nowhere to go. Similarly, the elimination of day care centers would displace hundreds of children.

    “Priority 7 vouchers are essential for my community,” said Councilmember Levin. “I have long been an advocate for public childcare services and I will continue to fight with my fellow Councilmembers to prevent the devastating cuts we face. Brooklyn stands to lose a disproportionate amount of ACS centers and voucher relief, and we will continue to demand these crucial services be provided to our community.”

    “It is reprehensible for the Administration to cut childcare funding, which provides crucial assistance to numerous families in Brooklyn, and throughout the five boroughs. The care of children, and help for parents should be our number one priority to ensure the best future of this City,” said Councilmember James. “I am certain there is room to work with lease-holders of these daycare centers to bring down costs; as they also realize that the elimination of funding for childcare will displace hundreds of children. Therefore, it’s imperative that other alternatives be considered, right now.”


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    25 Comments
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    Told you
    Told you
    13 years ago

    Now thats called fighting for our rights bravo david greenfeld go ahead and continue to fight for our rights thanks alot we really appreciate it!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Ribono Shel Olam, where was Simcha the last eight 8 years, this what we call speaking up.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Thanks Mr Levin. You have my vote.

    new yorker
    new yorker
    13 years ago

    I think these are the same fools who changed the law for a third term for bloomberg. And who fell for his promise not to take away vouchers. I don’t know how these people aren’t ashamed to show their faces after believing bloombergs campaign promise. before every election he promised anything to any body and when it came to business. The guy is just out to grab as much money he can find. Just wait and the toll on the bridges will be installed before you even know it. Oh let’s not forget after raising all our taxes by more then he gave us $300 back. What a selfish chazir

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Mayor Bloomberg never understood and never will, what it’s like living on $400-500 a week he earns a few hundred dollars evry millisecond

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    To all these ehrlich yidden who demand the spending be restored: There is NO MONEY!! The state is broke and cannot raise taxes any further. They have got to stop all these subsidies and limit spending to the basic essentials. They have even cut some funding for parks, bike lanes and grants to the art museums and ballet companies. The parents of these kids should pay for day care and baby sitters themselves like the rest of us do.

    question about priority 7
    question about priority 7
    13 years ago

    The article implies that priority 7 vouchers are used to provide childcare so that children can be cared for while parents work–and that without afterschool programs, parents will have to quit their jobs. If single parents or second wage-earners do have to quit their jobs since there’s no one to provide childcare, won’t this affect the economy too?

    Dovid
    Dovid
    13 years ago

    Some of the yeshivos in the list are in Monroe and Peekskill, so not in New York City. Why do they get involved in New York City politics?

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Simcha did what he had to do and did it in back rooms and got results

    This guy is only looking for press releases and ruins lots of things by bringing out these issues to the public

    Seems we will suffer a lot from greenfield

    NotAgain
    NotAgain
    13 years ago

    Incredible that after the election the usual suspects are criticizing “this guy.” First off, show some respect – Councilman Greenfield was elected by a majority of every neighborhood. Second, give him credit for working on a critical issue for the benefit of the community. I agree that Simcha did a good job. The fact remains that Simcha was able to get a one year deal. That deal is now over and Simcha moved onto better things. So, we should be happy we have a councilman as smart as Greenfield who knows how to bring TEN members of the council together to support the community’s issues. Nice work 

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Bloomberg is not stupid. he wants these cuts so everyone ends up going on welfare and medicaid and food stamps and section 8 which all goes on the federal dime!

    Bloomberg is trying to push city problems on the state and feds and you can’t blame him. The city of new york keeps on egtting short changed because of morons like shelly Silver and Paterson and many other corrupt morons. And add unions to the list of problems.

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    I would like to see, if after this whole propganda shpiel, if the mayor is gonna restore these vouchers, I feel that not, but let’s wait and see

    boroparker
    boroparker
    13 years ago

    please give all vouchers, section 8, medicare, etc to the people outside brooklyn!!

    we live like sardines! please help us get out of here, we are stuck in the mud with all these good programs! give it to upstate to all over but brooklyn, the city is overcrowded, please!!!!!!! we cant grow up normal familys!!!!!!!

    have rachmunis!!!!!!

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Thank you Councilman David Greenfield

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    what does niederman do over there? he has no school! he only spoils things always