The F.A.S.T. Pledge

We, the under-signed, pledge to F.A.S.T.- track REAL SCHOOL TAX RELIEF LEGISLATION from Day One of the 2007 legislative session in Albany.

Our F.A.S.T. legislation will adhere to the following principles:

Secures school funding based upon the ABILITY TO PAY
Provides FAIR and EQUITABLE funding that offers a quality public
Protects our Senior Citizens and Families from forced relocation due to over-burdening school taxes

Pledgers

Mike Kaplowitz, Candidate for State Senate (40th District)
Brian Keeler, Candidate for State Senate (41st District)

Media Coverage

Keeler and Kaplowitz Sign F.A.S.T. Pledge

(October 23, 2006, Pleasant Valley, New York)

Brian Keeler and Mike Kaplowitz, Democratic State Senate candidates for the 41st and 40th Districts in New York, held a joint news conference today and signed the F.A.S.T (Fix Albany School Tax) Pledge. The pledge can be found at fixalbanyschooltax.com.

Appearing together in Pleasant Valley, New York, the Senate candidates outlined their plan of action for addressing the School Tax Crisis in New York.

“I will present to you, the people in my district, by April 15 of 2007, my first draft school tax reform bill, founded on the principles of my FAST pledge to you today. And those principles are: securing school funding based on the ability to pay, fair and equitable funding that provides a quality education to every child in the state and protecting our seniors and families from forced relocation due to the crushing burden of school taxes.” Brian Keeler said.

“By April 15, I will hold my first forum, in the 41st district, where I will ask for your input on my bill and other proposals that represent the spirit of my FAST pledge. I will hold forums across the state asking citizens to participate in a new process of open government where we solve problems together, and where I, as your elected representative, will reach across the aisle in Albany, and bring your solutions, consolidated in my bill, to the floor for a vote. By the end of the 2007 legislative session we, in the legislature, together with Eliot Spitzer will pass a school funding reform bill founded on the principles of my FAST pledge that I have made to you today. I challenge the rest of the legislature to follow my lead in creating a new way of doing business in Albany that is problem-solving and participatory, based on a transparent and open government.”

“The State Senate’s inaction on school tax reform has resulted in a crushing tax burden for homeowners and decreasing support for our local school districts,” said Mike Kaplowitz, chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislator’s Budget and Appropriations committee. “Our legislators in Albany have proven to us they can’t get the job done. It’s time we send people to Albany who can.”