Thanks to the Observer-Dispatch, we’ve got the local candidates’ views on education - grades and analysis below.
The 117th District of the New York State Assembly covers Otsego, Herkimer and Fulton Counties. Incumbent Marc Butler [R] is being challenged by Dan Carter [D].
The O-D asked candidates in some state and federal races about their proposals for education funding. Here are their answers:
Marc Butler, R-Newport
As the depth and serious nature of the current economic downturn unfolds, it is very difficult to make financial commitments – even in the key area of education.
I would, however, say that I oppose any mid-term cuts to education aid for elementary and secondary schools. Budgets were set and predicated on state aid figures in the budget and any adjustments will create chaos in our schools.
Grade: C. Butler’s answer is so short and vague as to border on a cop-out, but there may be some sense in that. Committing to specific courses of action in the middle of such uncertainty may prove useless. Honoring current budgets is a solid, if not obvious, first step.
The fear of mid-term cuts is likely unwarranted. We understand that budget shakeups will further exacerbate an already complex problem. Butler would do well to propose some course of action on school funding as we begin to make sense of our state’s finances.
Dan Carter, Democrat
Carter did not submit a response.
Grade: F. No response constitutes failure. If Carter or his associates would like to submit a paragraph or two on education funding, I’ll post it here.
On the question of education funding, the advantage goes to Marc Butler.
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