SCHOOL’S OUT: Nassau County Residents Gather for Ice Cream and Important Conversations
While Families Celebrate the Start of Summer, Concerns Arise Over K-12 Funding Under Threat
HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK — Yesterday, Empire State Voices, Make the Road Action, and New York Communities for Change kicked off the summer season in Hempstead with an ice cream social event in Kennedy Park. Local residents stopped by for free ice cream and discussed some of the issues that matter most to them.
One focus of the day’s conversation was the ongoing threat to K-12 education. For the past 18 months, House Republicans have repeatedly attempted to slash federal education funding, threatening access to quality K-12 schools across the country. While Congressman Anthony D’Esposito claims to value access to high-quality education for all students, he continues to vote to strip local schools of necessary funding. Just last year, he voted to cut approximately $319 million in funding from New York schools, which would have impacted more than 1.5 million students. This mismatch between his words and his record has led many Nassau County residents to question Congressman D’Esposito’s commitment to fighting for Long Island families.
“It’s concerning that [Congressman] D’Esposito would take these votes against us and cut vital education funding that our community relies on,” said Michael, a resident of Baldwin, NY.
“To [vote to] cut education funding just as our children are getting over the losses from the COVID-19 pandemic is cruel, short-sighted, and downright cynical,” said Alex, a resident of Hempstead, NY.
Make the Road Action member stands with a local family at Kennedy Park in Hempstead, NY. | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
Attendees were given the opportunity to react to Rep. D’Esposito’s voting record by filling out a constituent feedback form. Complaints ranged from corporate greed to lack of education funding, with one respondent even writing, “He helps wealthy people, but not the working class.” While the responses and issues of concern varied, one very clear message emerged: Congressman Anthony D’Esposito needs to start fighting against cuts to education and fight for Long Islanders instead.
Angel Reyes, Long Island Organizing Coordinator at Make the Road Action, said, “Rep. D’Esposito must reject these reckless cuts to our education system, hurting our teachers, our children, and their future. We cannot strip our students from the quality education that they deserve. Long Islanders need a leader who will prioritize our students. We call on Rep. D’Esposito to reject these drastic Republican cuts and instead focus on investing in education and vital services our communities rely on.”
Students fill out a constituent feedback form at Hempstead’s ice cream social event. | Credit: EMPIRE STATE VOICES
“Over the past year and a half, we’ve seen a really concerning pattern arise from Congressman D’Esposito,” said Dylan Wheeler, NY-04 Regional Organizing Director for Empire State Voices. “Time after time, he’s voted to cut funding for critical programs that families and working people across Nassau County rely on. There’s nothing ‘fiscally responsible’ about defunding K-12 schools. By disinvesting in our communities like this, Rep. D’Esposito is putting the futures of Long Island students at risk. We urge Congressman D’Esposito to vote to fund our education and not vote for future cuts to education!"
To learn more about the campaign, please reach out to press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.
About Make the Road Action
Make the Road Action builds political power rooted in immigrant and working-class communities, promotes progressive policy solutions, and strengthens the movement for justice through electoral and grassroots organizing.
