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Nixon calls on lawmakers for increased school aid
Jimmy Vielkind is reporting for Politico New York gubernatorial candidate Democrat Cynthia Nixon on March 26, called on state lawmakers to raise taxes and include more school aid as part of the developing state budget. Nixon backs a plan by Assembly Democrats to direct $1.5 billion in additional school aid to school districts, double Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's proposed increase of $769 million. The governor has budgeted $26.4 billion on schools for the 2018-19 school year, but Nixon argues that inequities remain and more funding is needed. Nixon said she would amend the state’s 2 percent cap on property tax increases and make it less onerous for a local district to raise taxes to pay for education. She also backs the Assembly's plan to raise taxes on state residents reporting more than $5 million in income. At the press conference Nixon also attacked Gov. Andrew Cuomo for being a “bully” to women, journalists, his colleagues in government and children, comparing his behavior to that of President Donald Trump. Nixon's press conference was organized by the activist group Alliance for Quality Education. Read the full story at Politico New York.