Governor Cuomo is free at last!

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Not all UFT members are standing with Mulgrew. I must applaud members such as Kristine McCabe, who teaches in Queens but is married to a police sergeant. She publicly stated that she and others refused to support the march, and have begun signing online petitions calling for Mulgrew’s resignation.

“It sends a really twisted message to kids,” McCabe said. “We’re supporting something where a criminal was resisting arrest. You’re sending a mixed signal about crime and authority.”

Mr. Mulgrew, stick to the issues that you supposedly know — education. A police rally has nothing to do with our kids. Any politician who has accepted Mulgrew’s endorsement should think twice.

Governor Cuomo put the future of the state above partisan politics when he supported charter schools and provided funding for universal pre-K programs. He protected taxpayers against out-of-control school budgets by passing a bill that allows local school districts and governments to raise property taxes each year by only 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. All governments were included, and only few exceptions were made.

The governor was concerned about the heavy burden of property taxes on the state’s homeowners. In the back of his mind, he knew these moves would undoubtedly cost him the support of the teachers and the AFL-CIO.

But it’s a win-win and a blessing in disguise for our hard-pressed taxpayers. Now Cuomo will not feel obligated to support the unions’ costly demands and programs. Over the years, too many politicians have buckled under the pressure of union bosses. On Election Day voters should remember that Governor Cuomo did not.

P.S.: I had no idea what the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge was until I was challenged, but I’m so glad I became part of the movement. I’m truly in awe of the amount of money that has been raised for this tremendous cause. Way to go, team!

Al D’Amato, a former U.S. senator from New York, is the founder of Park Strategies LLC, a public policy and business development firm. Comments about this column? ADAmato@liherald.com.

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