Perdido 03

Perdido 03

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Cuomo Wants To "Bridge The Broadband Divide" At Same Time He Can't Pay For The Tappan Zee Bridge Project

It is becoming increasingly clear that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is building a $3.9 billion dollar replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge that has no funding source.

Cuomo tried to get half a billion in loans from the EPA clean water fund for the bridge, but that attempt was rejected yesterday.

Now people are worried that Cuomo will have to raise tolls on the Thruway and pull money from other sources in order to pay for the bridge.

Cuomo's administration has not released a financial plan for the funding of the bridge, though they do tout this bridge replacement and the speed with which it is being built as proof for how quickly Cuomo can get things done.

What I haven't seen connected to the bridge story yet is the bond act Cuomo is pushing this year to wire schools across the state with the technology needed for online computerized testing, which he calls the Smart Schools Initiative:

$2 Billion Smart Schools Bond Act Referendum November 4, 2014 – Proposal #3

In January 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo called for New York State to invest $2 billion in its schools through a Smart Schools Bond Act that will build out schools and classrooms for the 21st Century to ensure that our students graduate with the skills they need to thrive in the economy of today and tomorrow.

Smart Schools Commission

Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, the Smart Schools Commission will lead a research effort into best practices into technology-enabled education and broadband connectivity efforts. In preparation for the Commission’s final report that will be developed in Fall 2014, we will invite local and national experts to present best practices for the Commission’s consideration over the coming months at public symposiums and Commission meetings.

Cuomo's selling this thing as an upgrade for school infrastructure, but what it's really is a boondoggle for his tech and edu-entrepreneur donors.

The upgrades are needed to run the computerized standardized tests the NYSED, the Regents and their Gates Foundation/ed reformer funders want in the near future.

Cuomo's Smart Schools Commission is meeting today:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Smart Schools Public Symposium

WHAT: Public Symposium – Bridging the Broadband Divide in New York State 

WHEN: Wednesday , September 17, 2014 from 12 pm - 2 pm

WHERE: Fifth Floor Atrium, Clinical and Translational Research Center, University at Buffalo 875 Ellicott Street , Buffalo NY 14203

 Come hear from technology and education experts about innovative, successful approaches to school and community connectivity and technology - enabled education practices that can help to reimagine New York’s public schools for the 21st century.

It's ironic that Cuomo's looking to get state voters to pony up $2 billion to "bridge" the broadband divide when he can't find the $3.9 billion he needs to pay for the other bridge he's building at the same time - the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement.

I do hope voters reject Cuomo's Smart Schools bond boondoggle, since it's really about nothing other than getting schools wired for computerized testing.

But given the mess he's made with the Tappan Zee Bridge project, who knows where the money will actually end up if voters say yes to the bond.

Hell, if Cuomo can try and divert money meant for sewers and clean water to a bridge project, you can bet he might try and take money meant to "Bridge the Broadband Divide" and put that into other things as well.

Perhaps even a real bridge.

Although if it's between paying for a real bridge or "bridging the broadband divide" so they'll have the infrastructure for computerized testing, I suppose I'd rather they build a real bridge.

At least a real bridge would be useful.

16 comments:

  1. Teachout wrote on her FB page that she will not endorse any candidate before the end of October. But also hinted it might be Cuomo because their is a possibility she will need him if she decides to run for the Senate.

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    1. Hearing latest is she won't endorse. But we'll see - transactional politics rules.

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  2. It's amazing that politicians can impose whatever program they want just so that their friends can get contracts. They actually get away with it too! Amazing! Cough/ Bloomberg/ cough.

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    1. Bloomberg and his contracts were outrageous. Somehow, ruling class still thinks he was fiscal genius. That's because payouts were to them, of course.

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  3. Ah, so now we're connecting Mr.$1 a year loss leader and Quid pro Cuomo.And what(or rather who) do they have in common?
    Why they have Preety boy in common, though
    the former's deeper pockets and willingness to spend freely bought him a somewhat different relationship-sponsor/ puppetmaster vs.investigee.

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    1. Yes, Bharara gave Bloomie a pass on the Independence Party criminality.

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  4. Reflect back on Cuomo's announcement of the Dumb School Bond program. He twice screamed out that "for some kids the most advanced technology they have is the metal detector they are screened by each morning." That tells me he is aiming to get inner city voters to the poll in a low voter turnout election because they are likely to pull a lever for Cuomo if they turn out. That manipulation--and the fact that this Bond will make us PARCC ready are enough reason for me to vote this dog down.

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    1. Good! I will be doing some heavy posting about this issue going into the election.

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  5. Cuomo is a wonderful example of a "bought and paid for" person. He is a puppet of his wealthy masters...a man who signs his name where his bosses tell him to sign. A man who sells children out is on of the lowest forms of humanity, and a disgrace to civilization.

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  6. TeachmyclassMrMayor(andyoutooMrMulgrew)September 17, 2014 at 8:09 PM

    Also, just curious. What "educational experts" are available at 2pm on a Wednesday afternoon? I assume based on past history, no real teachers are included in this.

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  7. Andy boy has long been a catamite for the overclass- especially those who send underlings with suitcases full of cash to meet with him in hotel rooms.

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    1. That's right - they knew from the beginning he was for sale. Going back to HUD. Especially as AG too - how many bankster criminals did he take down? None?

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  8. Ah, so now we're connecting Mr.$1 a year loss leader and Quid pro Cuomo.And what(or rather who) do they have in common?
    Why they have Preety boy in common, though
    the former's deeper pockets and willingness to spend freely bought him a somewhat different relationship-sponsor/ puppetmaster vs.investigee.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Important piece. Here's an op-ed I wrote about the Smart Schools Bond Act: "This bond has little to do with education and more to do with Gov. Andrew Cuomo giving a gift to the tech industry and circumventing political opposition to the Common Core."

    http://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/contributors/2014/09/01/view-tampio-smart-schools-bond/14810825/

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