“The City Council and I welcome Governor Cuomo’s proposal for Universal Pre-Kindergarten in his Executive Budget for 2014-2015. The importance of quality early childhood education for future success in school and life cannot be overstated and study after study has shown its effectiveness.

Our goal, and Mayor de Blasio’s, is to ensure that every four year-old in New York City has access to pre-k as soon as possible, with a funding stream in place to ensure that promise is fulfilled in the future. Mayor de Blasio has proposed such a funding source in the form of a modest income tax increase on the city’s highest earners. His plan has the support of a wide spectrum of New Yorkers – including many in City’s the business community who would pay the increase.

We will analyze the Governor’s funding proposal, but we believe the best way to fulfill the promise to our children is to enact the mayor’s plan. We look forward to working with Governor Cuomo, our State’s legislative leaders and Mayor de Blasio, to ensure the promise of a better future for our City’s children and families.”
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