First hour: Debating a proposed state takeover of the Rochester City School Board
Second hour: Both sides make their case regarding single payer healthcare in New York
As reported by Tim Macaluso for WXXI News and City Newspaper, state education officials have drafted a plan to replace the Rochester Board of Education with a state-appointed board for at least five years. That's according to documents that CITY Newspaper has obtained. At the end of the five years, the district’s governance would return to an elected board. This report has already sparked heated debate about who’s in charge, and whether a state takeover would be a just and democratic step. Our guests will discuss it.
- Tim Macaluso, reporter for CITY Newspaper
- Van White, president of the Rochester City School Board
- Natalie Sheppard, Rochester School Board member
- Mercedes Phelan, lead organizer of Citizen Action of New York
- Joe Klein, chairman of Klein Steel and advocate for educational reform
Then in our second hour, the New York State Legislature will hold hearings on single payer healthcare next week. Advocates say that it’s up to states to pass single payer, with the federal government aligned against it. Opponents argue that it will be a massive hit to the business community in particular. Our guests debate the merits of single payer and the New York Health Act:
- Mike Sportiello, co-chair of the Rochester Campaign for New York Health
- Dr. Rae-Ellen Kavey, M.D., retired pediatric cardiologist
- Greg Biryla, state director of NFIB
- Michael Kracker, executive director of Unshackle Upstate
