Catholics weigh Pataki's address

Education topped the Governor's list of issues in need of attention. He spoke of accomplishments, including record increases in school aid, charter schools, the Teachers of Tomorrow program, standardized testing and "school report cards."

Gov. Pataki proposed reforming New York's school aid formula, consolidating 11 funding formulas into one, and giving mayors control of urban school systems. He also proposed doubling funding for the Teachers of Tomorrow program, allowing retired public employees to become teachers, requiring "report cards" for public school buildings, expanding after-school programs and creating English immersion courses for immigrants.

EDUCATION

Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, head of the Schools Office, said that "in consolidating the state aid, it will be important to ensure that our schools continue to get an appropriate allocation for textbooks, software and library materials."

The Catholic Conference echoed her concern and joined the Schools Office in noting that public schools should not be the only ones receiving aid.

"Just as increased funds are necessary for public schools to attain the new academic standards and graduation requirements, we strongly urge the Governor to provide assistance to the state's religious, private and independent schools," the Conference stated.

Regarding the Teachers of Tomorrow program, Sister Jane pointed out that "to date, teachers within our [Catholic] schools are not included. The Teachers of Tomorrow initiative is aimed to assist with the teacher shortage, which we are also experiencing."

The Catholic Conference also hoped that the Governor's plans would include funds for Academic Intervention Services for non-public schools. The Conference applauded the current charter school program, but added that "parents' choices of schools should be as broad as possible -- whether it is another public school, a charter school, or a private or parochial school."

HEALTH CARE

He also proposed:

* background checks for nursing home employees,

* allowing persons with disabilities to buy health insurance through Medicaid,

* expanding Medicaid eligibility for breast and cervical cancer treatment, and

* heart disease education programs.

The Catholic Conference welcomed the concept of supporting persons with disabilities in becoming independent, noting that it had recently urged the Governor to take this step. Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities for the Albany Diocese, called the move "long overdue."

However, she expressed concern over simply proposing background checks for nursing home employees. "I support background checks," she stated, but "that industry is having a very hard time recruiting and maintaining workers. I would have [also] liked something that called for a change to the reimbursement structure. People need to have a living wage. We also need to provide that career ladder."

"We hope that the forthcoming executive budget will include funding to provide scholarships, loan forgiveness programs, and financial incentives to increase the workforce in human services, health care and education," added the Catholic Conference.

ECONOMY

"We look forward to working with the Governor on his plan to increase economic opportunity in upstate New York," the Catholic Conference responded. "We await details on the Governor's call for expanding economic development zones....We must caution, however, that incentive programs must consider the effect of tax incentives on local governments which finance essential health and human services to children, the elderly and disabled, and those who cannot work due to illness, disability or lack of education."

The Conference also stated that economic incentives must be balanced with protecting the environment.

CRIME

The Governor proposed expanding the state's DNA database, ending the statute of limitations for violent felonies, eliminating parole for all convicted felons, assisting battered women and children to relocate, creating a team to stop gun trafficking, and reforming the Rockefeller drug laws.

"I have no way of knowing if the statistics the Governor stated are accurate," Sister Maureen responded. "I don't necessarily correlate the fact that there's less crime with those statistics. The economy is good; and when the economy is good, there's less crime. That's just a given fact. There have also been a lot of efforts on the local level, [including] policing-wise."

She was also concerned about some of Gov. Pataki's proposals for the future. "To eliminate parole has some inherent problems," she stated. "We're saying [in effect] that people are not capable of rehabilitation. You can argue that point, but that is the goal. If one is in the prison system and there is no incentive at all, that creates more violence within the prison walls. It also poses a problem for prison guards, if you have someone there who has no reason to reform."

Sister Maureen congratulated the Governor on addressing the issue of domestic violence, on his gun-trafficking proposals and on trying to reform the Rockefeller drug laws. She called the latter the highlight of his address.

"That's something the Catholic Church has worked long and hard at," she said. "I hope the legislature follows quickly and thoroughly on reform."

"The Bishops [of New York State] have long recognized the need to change these outdated and overly harsh mandatory drug sentencing laws," echoed the Catholic Conference. "We are hopeful for meaningful legislative action this session."

WELFARE

The Governor hopes to suspend both the driver's and professional licenses of "deadbeat parents." He said that New York's welfare rolls have dropped by 876,000 people who are now on the "path to freedom and independence."

The Catholic Conference stated: "Although welfare caseloads have fallen dramatically, Catholic Charities programs in all parts of New York State continue to experience an increased demand for emergency assistance, particularly for housing and food. We urge the Governor to invest Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds in programs and services which reduce poverty and move people from welfare to work."

Sister Maureen's most extensive comments were on this issue. "We've always said as Catholic Charities that welfare needed to be reformed," she began, noting that the welfare system did create dependence, and many people who needed training to transition away from welfare have gotten it.

However, she said, the Governor neglected to mention "supportive services that need to be in place because of welfare reform. People who are in minimum-wage jobs really can't make it."

Sister Maureen had several proposals of her own:

* increasing the minimum wage,

* providing educational and career-advancement opportunities so that those who are now working can better their skills and careers, and

* having affordable day care. Many working parents have to work nights, Sister Maureen said, and "there's no opportunity for affordable child care evenings and nights. We need to be creative: How do we provide that safe environment for children?"

She also expressed concern for the working families who continue to pour into New York's food pantries at the end of each month when their money and benefits run out.

"I would like it if the Governor spoke about people who will never be able to be self-sufficient," she added. "They will spiral down and eventually become homeless. I don't see anything [in the Governor's proposals] to provide that type of security or safety to people who really are dependent on society."

ABORTION

"While the Governor states that the `promise of tomorrow is rooted in the children of today,' his message doesn't not hint at any signs of protecting vulnerable children in the womb," it stated.

While the Governor proposed educating women about heart disease, the Conference noted, "he fails to offer pregnant women the same promise of informed consent for abortion."

The Catholic officials said they look forward to finding out the Governor's priorities for the 2001-'02 executive budget, which should be unveiled later this month.

(01-11-01) [[In-content Ad]]