Rockland Electeds Respond to Zebrowski's New Bill Proposing Overriding the Democratic Process for the ERCSD

by M.C. Millman

Rockland County elected leaders were quick in issuing statements to denounce New York State Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski's latest bid for attention.

Zebrowski introduced bill A101407 late last week, as reported by Rockland Daily here. Not only would this be allowed, but the board would be “directed” to do so. Bill A10407, which can be found here,  proposes a fiscal board for East Ramapo School District, overriding elected board members, hiking property taxes, eliminating universal yeshiva busing, and, to add insult to injury, suggests in multiple places, among other disquieting proposals, that the democratic process be ignored in the East Ramapo Central School District when it comes to budget votes allowing the fiscal control board to override voters if they fail to approve the district's proposed budget. Not only would this be allowed, but the board would be “directed” to do so.

"With respect to the legislation introduced by Assemblyman Zebrowski concerning the creation of a fiscal control board in the East Ramapo Central School District," Assemblyman John McGowan says in his statement issued on Friday, " I have reviewed the bill, and while I agree that we must find a way to address the impending multimillion-dollar budget deficit, I do not believe this proposed law is the correct way to do so. This legislation would create a state-appointed board to make all financial decisions for the district, which is an objectively radical approach to this complex issue, as it destroys the democratic voting process. I do not support the erosion of local control, especially with overbearing state intrusion as a replacement.

"This bill is an extreme undertaking with far-reaching implications. My practice when evaluating any new piece of legislation, especially one as transformative to the residents of our community as this proposed law would be, is to deliberate and weigh the pros and cons of whether the bill, as drafted, is the most effective and legally proper way to accomplish its legislative intent. I don’t believe this bill meets that metric. I remain committed to working with my colleagues in government and stakeholders in the community to identify reasonable, appropriate, and realistic measures to address the school district’s situation."

"Assemblyman Zebrowski has consistently proposed the wrong solutions for a problem that begins and ends in Albany,"  Legislator Itamar Yeger shares exclusively with Rockland Daily. "Now he wants to do exactly what he claims the Republicans are interested in nationally, removing the democratic rights from voters. He has no interest in truly helping all the students in East Ramapo. Instead, he seeks to further his own and others' political ambitions by pitting the Orthodox and minority communities against each other. If the state amended the funding formula to make it equitable by including private school students in the formula, there would be no fiscal issues in East Ramapo. Instead of doing the right thing he persists in blaming one side in a fight that should never be taking place.  I am thankful that the assemblyman has decided to finally retire. I hope and pray that the next assembly person will work together with both communities in East Ramapo in order to create a more equitable funding formula that will end the funding problem once and for all."

"I would encourage all my colleagues to vote NO on this bill." New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec shares with Rockland Daily. "This bill overrides the will of all voters of the district and sets a terrible slippery slope for Albany bureaucrats to take away local control and the democratic process. Albany officials cannot properly manage state finances, and now they want to take over finances for this school district.  It's a bad idea."