Teachers Union Boss Slams Tax Breaks for ‘Foreign Billionaires’

By MICHEL PEDROSO

The United Federation of Teachers President announced a plan Tuesday that he said could reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, the money coming from ending tax breaks to “foreign billionaires” who own condos and co-ops in New York City.

“People who receive favorable tax treatment … shall continue to receive them as long as they are a resident of the city of New York,” said UFT Presdient Michael Mulgrew We’re talking specifically about the condominiums and co-ops” owned by non-resident foreigners.

“We know that if a child is on grade-level reading by the end of third grade,” he added, “they have a much higher percentage of success in terms of graduating from high school.”

Karen Sprowl, the Parent Organizer for Class Size Matters, seemed totally on board with everything Mulgrew had to say.

“I think it’s pretty creative,” said Sproul. “I think it’s bold; totally unexpected. Parents have been saying this, so I’m glad the UFT and Michael see this as something you want to seriously engage parents in.”

Sprowl, who resides in Harlem, has seen firsthand the benefits that come out of a smaller class size.

“I have a son who has special needs,” she said. “I saw very simply that with all the related services that he’s getting, it didn’t match in comparison to him being in class with a good teacher and 18 students.”

Dick Riley, the press secretary of UFT, further elaborated on UFT’s idea.

“Why should foreign billionaires get a tremendous tax break for a luxury apartment that a New York City resident has to pay New York City income tax?” argued Riley.

Riley also said that it would be possible to start the whole 15 students per class thing by September in 100 schools without any tax change, but “if you’re going to do it city wide, you have to generate more revenue.”

Mulgrew estimated that the plan would generate $900 million in revenue.

Concerning the matter of any elected officials being on board with UFT’s idea, Riley said, “We’ve talked to some, but nobody has signed on yet.”