Earlier this week, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) released a list of proposed teacher layoffs that would be pursued if the State refuses to change legislation regarding seniority for Union members. This inspecific, yet ominous "data" that the Mayor released, is nothing more than a tactic to strike fear in the hearts of parents and is a part of a larger attack occurring across the nation against all public service workers. I believe that the DOE hopes frantic parents will call their elected officials and urge them to support a change of policy to ensure that their schools don't face these losses, even as they remain silent on what the alternative would be.

The financial situation that New York State and City face is dire. We are facing a State-wide budget deficit of $9 billion. Coupled with this year's expiration of Federal monies which have softened the blow of State and City budget cuts in the past, we are faced with a situation that is anything from easy. Yet despite these realities, we absolutely cannot balance the budget at the expense of our children's education.

Under the current seniority policy, teachers who have been in the system the shortest amount of time would be the first to be laid off. The NYC DOE argues that if this policy were to change teachers could be laid off based on evaluations or other factors, and the distribution of layoffs could change. We have good teachers at all levels of their professional path, but legislation that eliminates the collective bargaining power of teachers is unconscionable. Most of the public is unaware that we changed the law regarding teacher evaluation last year, and we are a few months away from final regulations from the State Department of Education. Nonetheless, the Mayor is insistent that we must undermine this process- even before it is implemented. As our State Education Commissioner David Steiner testified to the Legislature, once this new evaluation process is in place, Last In, First Out will be moot. I believe that we've already changed the law appropriately and the Mayor's actions are reminiscent of Wisconsin's Governor Walker attempt to eliminate collective bargaining.

In the meantime, budgets for Charter Schools in New York City continue to rise. Lump-sum financial incentives are given to open new schools, even when they open in place of a school that was closed against its will and the per-student funding varies from school to school.

I believe that we need to consider other cost saving methods and funding allocation changes before we jump to cutting teaching positions. Letting the tax on millionaire's expire will cost New York State $1 Billion Dollars this year and $5 Billion Dollars next year. I find it strange that the Mayor is so quick to fire teachers, and dismantle our education system, and yet is unwilling to ask for help from those who can afford it the most.

If our experience post 9/11 has taught us anything, it is that creating a culture of fear does not lead to effective public policy. Just as 9/11 was used as an excuse to bring troops to Iraq, our current economic crisis is being used to shepherd through a right-wing agenda that will disenfranchise workers and further consolidate power into the hands of the elite. Sadly, the City's posturing isn't about children, although in the end it will be the children who will pay the greatest price.