Friday Links
Students See Hard Future if Free Fares Are Ended [NY Times] Thousands Lose Rent Vouchers in Cutback [NY Times] ‘B’klyn Madoff’ in Court Over $45M Scheme [NY Post] Williamsburg Squatter Ousted by Cops [NY Post] More Scandal at ‘Horndog High’ [NY Daily News] New Building for Red Hook Charter School [Brooklyn Paper] Displaced Tenants Protest…

Students See Hard Future if Free Fares Are Ended [NY Times]
Thousands Lose Rent Vouchers in Cutback [NY Times]
‘B’klyn Madoff’ in Court Over $45M Scheme [NY Post]
Williamsburg Squatter Ousted by Cops [NY Post]
More Scandal at ‘Horndog High’ [NY Daily News]
New Building for Red Hook Charter School [Brooklyn Paper]
Displaced Tenants Protest Lack of Housing [Brooklyn Eagle]
Freddy’s Patrons to Chain Themselves to Bar [Curbed]
Borough Park Fire Injures Young Girl [NY1]
DOT Begins Annual Pothole Filling Campaign [NY1]
Union Market to Open Monday [CHB]
Photo by cosmicautumn
“Our social services cost so much because they’re generous to the providers, not to the clients. The real beneficiaries of all this spending are the social service agencies, the various health care workers’ and social workers’ unions, and the politicians who buy the support of these groups by funneling tax dollars their way.”
Sparafucile;
I agree with you 1000%! I’ve said it before on this site, and I’ll say it again: I find it amazing that New Yorkers, who like to think of themselves as sophisticated, allow themselves to be governed in the fashion of a banana republic. The “real” election in this town is the Democrat party primary. The vast majority of people who bother to go to the polls then are members of this union/scoial services complex, who make sure that candidates get elected who will continue this gravy train. Remember when Bloomberg propsed a Charter revision that would call for non-partisan primaries?? This group was roused into action, because they knew it threatened their very existence, and they soundly defeated it.
If folks want real reform in this town, and want to make sure that they are getting the best bang for their buck, this is where they should look.
Right now the 1/2 fare cards only work on buses. It doesn’t seem to be solution for students who live in Flushing and attend Brooklyn Tech or Bronx High School of Science for example. The schools would need to administer the collection of fees and reduced fare cards would have to work on the subways.
Benson,
Maybe Bloomberg and his band of corporate lawyers disguised as educators should curtail opening “small” schools and avoid the salaries (principals, asst. principals, parent coordinators) and other expenses that go along with those and work with improving with the existing infrastructure until the economy improves. Maybe stop opening “theme” middle schools and focus on creating solid general academic schools. And by solid academics I don’t mean Kaplan and more Kaplan.
QUOTE: “It’s not enough that NYC has one of the most generous set of social services in the country (our per-capita Medicaid costs are TWICE that of Califonia’s). ”
Our social services cost so much because they’re generous to the providers, not to the clients. The real beneficiaries of all this spending are the social service agencies, the various health care workers’ and social workers’ unions, and the politicians who buy the support of these groups by funneling tax dollars their way.
“Bottom line is that I think the MTA wants another fare hike so they are targeting children and the disabled in a reprehensible display of political posturing.”
I think this is EXACTLY right. The idea of revoking student Metrocards is so obscene to me that I assumed it couldn’t be anything other than a political move. Especially since they haven’t even proposed replacing them with less-subsidized cards — say, a half-fare card for students — which seems like the natural thing to do if they’re taking this threat seriously.
The media should interview middle class families throughout the city who rely on the student metro cards. The system is predicated on equality and accessibility so just because I pay taxes that does not mean my kids get an automatic pass into the better district 15 middle schools even if it were across the street. As a matter of fact, students who reside out of district and attend district 15 elementary schools (and not because of NCLB) could get seats and my child won’t. The entity that created this system of student placement should bear the cost or partial cost of transportation. It is less costly than providing yellow school buses.
As for trimming the fat at Tweed, I would start with the school accountability report cards which don’t compare schools apples to apples, then the sweetheart deals with test prep companies and publishers. And while we are at it get a Chancellor who is an educator.
Bottom line is that I think the MTA wants another fare hike so they are targeting children and the disabled in a reprehensible display of political posturing.
In the meantime, I will continue to provide reams of paper to my kids’ schools so that your tax payer dollars don’t have to (insert winking emoticon here).
Gowanus Dog;
Now you’re talking!
Perhaps I should make my position more clear. If a large number of folks think that this program (metrocards for students) is worth preserving, well fine – that’s democracy. However, at the same time, I want to know where else, then, cuts should be made, given the city and state’s poor fiscal condition and budget gaps. What got me going on this thread was the NYT’s usual nausea-inducing advocacy article about how devastating a cut in a government service will be. They do this all the time, and just foster the sense of entitlement that runs rampant in this town. Moreover, the solution is always the same: hit up the taxpayer. The marginal tax rate in NYC is now over 50% for people who are still well in the middle-class salary range.
I expect to see alot more of these types of issues in the days ahead. California is just a harbinger of what’s to come. The “lifeline” that Pr4esident Obama gave to the states via the stimulus package is running out. More fun to come!
Here is a quote from today’s Daily News:
“Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced raises worth $12 million for his 1,400 nonunion employees, including 575 top officials already raking in more than $100,000 a year.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2009/12/19/2009-12-19_nice_to_be_an_ed_boss_get_raises_as_schools_hurt.html#ixzz0a8xSF4O0
Some of these raises will be retroactive to March 2008 and they can’t help offset the cost or metro cards or ensure that classrooms are adequately supplied with paper and text books?
I don’t want to single out Benson but I will play devil’s advocate. I pay income and property taxes. My middle school child was not placed in a school within walking distance so excuse me if I am in a little resentful that I might have to pay 100 dollars a month for my child to get to school. Given the inevitable lost/damaged metro cards it will probably be more. I can’t transfer my kid to a closer school because they are at capacity. My argument is that if the DOE is going to place students then they need to provide transportation for students to get to school. Perhaps Bloomberg needs to find some ways to trim the fat at Tweed.
As for subsidized lunches that is based on income and you have to provide proof if you want to utilize the program. Neither of my kids qualify and my high schooler has been going out to lunch since the sixth grade as both schools lack a real cafeteria.
I can’t imagine where all this money is going. Certainly not to the classroom. Parents are often the ones who purchase basic classroom supplies.
“We in city have a higher tax burden because of these social services, but a line needs to be drawn somewhere.”
Yes, and having children that may not be able to afford to get to school for their education is a perfect place to draw that line. Paving the way for the cities future.
So I’m curious, how much exactly does it cost the MTA to let a kid on the subway without paying? I’m NOT asking how much extra could they gain if they did charge, but how much do they actually have to put out of pocket for the child to get to school.
Perhaps it might serve those well paid MTA folks to learn how to balance a budget.
I know, I know, that’s just crazy talk!