The Partnership for New York City, a pro-business organization that is one of the members of the Cuomo-aligned Committee to Save New York, is urging the governor to veto a measure that critics contend paves the way for a school voucher program.

As mentioned on this blog yesterday, the fight over the reimbursement bill — which gives parents greater ability to send their children to a private school based on broadly defined needs — is shaping up to be a major post-session lobbying effort.

Though ostensbily written to support students with special needs, the bill was written by Agudath Israel, a NYC-based Orthodox Jewish group.

In the letter, President and CEO Kathryn Wylde says the bill is far too vague and will cost the city school system and other local governments far too much money.

Cuomo has until Aug. 1 at midnight to approve the measure. The measure is one of more than 100 bills that are moving across the governor’s desk this month. An administration spokesman has said his office continues to review the bill.

In New York City alone, the bills are projected to cost tens of millions of dollars annually, The language as drafted is far too vague and would result in various interpretations of the law, creating the potential for increased litigation. The legislation would also introduce a new requirement that tuition reimbursement for private school placement be provided within 30 days of the district granting this request.

Letter to Governor on a 10722-A Weinstein S 7722-A Flanagan

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