Teachers Union Files Suit Against NY State

The New York State United Teachers union has filed a lawsuit against the state to protect school districts from unfair cuts. The union argues the two percent tax cap enacted in June of 2011 is unfair to rural districts because they are unable to raise funds to pay for schooling. NYSUT also defends the notion of ‘one person, one vote,’ arguing that the 60 percent supermajority required to override is unconstitutional. Under the tax cap, a resident who casts a ballot in favor of exceeding the tax cap has only two-thirds the voting power of one who votes against the proposal. Two of the plaintiff’s in the case live in the Elmira City School District and one also teaches there.