Parents of jewish schools asked to reach out to elected officials in NYS

The leadership of Agudath Israel of America, which is playing a major advocacy role on behalf of the Governor's bill, has called upon all New York Jewish private schools to ask their parent bodies to reach out to Assembly Members, as well as to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, to express support for the proposed legislation, and to urge that it be brought to the floor of the Assembly for a vote. The Governor's proposal is called the "Parental Choice in Education Act." If it passes, it would provide a $500 per child tax credit to low-income parents who pay tuition for their children in Jewish and other nonpublic schools - totaling close to $23 million for our community. 

How to communicate this message to our elected officials (excerpted frominvestined.org): 

Far Rockaway Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. Phil Goldfeder email: GoldfederP@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:718.945.9550
2. Todd Kaminsky email: kaminskyt@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:516.431.0500
3. Charles Lavine email: LavineC@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 516.676.0050

Queens Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. Jeffrey Aubry email: AubryJ@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.457.3615
2. Michael Miller email: MillerMG@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.805.0950
3. Nily Rozic email: RozicN@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.820.0241
4. Michael Simanowitz email: simanowitzm@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:718.969.1508
5. David Weprin email: weprind@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.454.3027

Rockland and Orange County Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. Ellen Jaffee email: JaffeeE@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 845.624.4601
2. Kenneth Zebrowski email: ZebrowskiK@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:845.634.9791
3. James Skoufis email: SkoufisJ@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 845.469.6929

Boro Park Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. Peter Abbate email: abbatep@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.236.1764
2. James Brennan email: BrennanJ@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:718.940.0641
3. Dov Hikind email: HikindD@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.853.9616

Flatbush and Kensington Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. Rodneyse Bichotte email: bichotter@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:718.940.0428
2. William Colton email: ColtonW@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.236.1598
3. Steven Cymbrowitz email: CymbroS@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:718.743.4078
4. Jo Anne Simon email: simonj@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 718.246.4889
5. Helene E. Weinstein email: WeinstH@assembly.state.ny.us phone #:718.648.4700

Manhattan Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. Keith Wright email: Wright@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 212-866-5809
2. Richard Gottfried email: GottfriedD@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 212-807-7900

Westchester Schools - Assembly Members to be contacted:

1. David Buchwald email: BuchwaldD@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 914-244-4450
2. Sandra Galef email: GalefS@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 914-941-1111
3. Shelley Mayer email: MayerS@assembly.state.ny.us phone #: 914-779-8805

For all other areas please contact your local Assembly Member which you can find here: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/search/

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To email:

1. Copy and paste the text below into a new email for each Assembly Member listed above
2. cc Assembly Speaker Heastie on each email [Speaker@assembly.state.ny.us]
3. Complete highlighted info

Subject Line: Please Support the Education Tax Credit

Dear [Assembly Member name here]

I urge you to support the Governor's Parental Choice in Education Act and Education Tax Credit, and to urge Speaker Heastie to bring the bill to the floor. I believe it is critical that my local representatives support and protect alternative school options for parents and students across New York State and increase investment in education.

Please take action today so the Education Tax Credit becomes law and all children across New York will have greater access to a quality education.

Can I count on you for your support of the Governor's Parental Choice in Education Act and Education Tax Credit?

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

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To call:

1. District # above or here is the number to reach the switchboard in the NYS Assembly: (518) 455-4100.  An operator will direct your call.
2. When you reach the operator tell them that you'd like to speak with your Assembly Member and give them your home address (e.g. 423 Maple Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850).
3. When you reach your Assembly Member's office, tell their staffers that you are calling to urge them to support the Education Tax Credit.

Use your own words or use the script below to help guide your conversation. Remember to be clear, honest and nice - your Assembly Member might be the deciding vote!

CALL SCRIPT

Hi. My name is [FIRST NAME, LAST NAME] from [CITY].

I am calling today because I want you to know that I support the Governor's Parental Choice in Education Act and Education Tax Credit.

I hope I can count on [Assembly Member Name] to support this important bill and promote parental choice in education.

 Thank you