Last week, New York Senate Democrats passed a Charter Reform Bill which will more than double the number of charter schools allowed in the state. It also bans private companies from profiting off students. All the Democrats in the chamber voted in favor. This was one of many requirements to set up New York State to receive $700 million in federal Race to the Top funds. 
The measure was opposed by fourteen Republicans. The push to increase the Charter School limits was championed by the Republicans two years ago during the last election cycle. Now, faced with actually voting for it, half bail on the measure. This certainly exposes the hypocrisy and lack of substance behind the GOP's position on the issue. What happened to Skelos and his caucus? Didn't they just make a recent plea to raise the limit themselves?
With half of the Republicans voting against the measure, doesn't that galvanize the public's perception that they are once again the party of NO? How did anything get done when they were in charge? Oh, that's right...They did whatever Bruno told them. I forgot; My bad. I stole a list off the State Dems Website showing the list of naysayers from yesterday's vote, and the list of Democratic challengers fighting to replace them in November.
- Farley - Susan Savage
- Flanagan
- Golden - Mike DiSanto and Claudio DeMeo
- Griffo - Maria Pavelock and Mike Hennessy
- Owen Johnson
- Larkin - Harley Doles and Larry Delarose
- LaValle - Regina Calcaterra
- Libous
- Maziarz
- McDonald - Joanne Yepsen
- Nozzolio
- Padavan - Tony Avella
- Saland - Didi Barrett
- Young
I guess we should count our blessings that there were only 14 NO votes?
