ERA TOUR: The proposed equal rights amendment to New York’s state constitution is meant to guarantee abortion rights and the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Former Democratic Assemblymember Tom Abinanti, who is making a push for the amendment to pass, is calling attention to another, less-noticed feature of the proposal: The guaranteed rights of people with disabilities. Abinanti told Playbook he is trying to drum up support for the amendment, which has come under fire from opponents for its expansive language and allegations of unintended consequences. Abinanti’s newsletter on disability rights and issues recently blasted out support for the amendment. He argued it will help people with disabilities when there is no clear law to support them and “incentivize new legislation” to match the constitutional protections. “It is critical for people with disabilities that we add Prop 1 to the New York Constitution this year,” he wrote. Critics have alleged the amendment if approved would weaken statutory rape laws or allow trans people to play in women’s sports — claims supporters have argued are unfounded. Democratic operatives in swing districts are worried the attacks have had an effect, and they are trying to get top party officials to take a more active role in touting the amendment’s support for abortion rights — an issue Republicans have struggled with, especially in deep blue New York. That makes highlighting the non-abortion aspects of the amendment by pointing to its expansive language a potential point of vulnerability. Battleground Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, locked in a tight reelection bid against Democrat Laura Gillen, posted to X last week that the amendment is a “radical referendum.” — Nick Reisman PRIVATE SCHOOLS, PUBLIC BENEFITS: New York’s private and religious schools pump $8 billion into the state’s economy and contribute nearly $1.8 billion in state and federal tax revenues annually, according to a study by the Teach Coalition, which advocates for yeshivas and Jewish day schools. The 1,700 schools account for nearly 89,000 jobs statewide, the report says — and the advocates are pressing policymakers to prioritize them ahead of the upcoming legislative session. “These economic numbers demonstrate that we are as critical as any other industry that you don’t want to lose in the state of New York,” Maury Litwack, the group’s founder, said. “Long before January, we want this community to be appreciated and prioritized by our legislators.” To that end, when legislators return to Albany, the coalition — which plays a pivotal role in Jewish get-out-the-vote efforts — will push for full funding for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education as well as security and universal free lunch for the schools. The study, titled “The Benefits of Jewish Nonpublic Schools to New York State,” also found that Jewish days schools and yeshivas — which serve 45 percent of the state’s nonpublic school students — yielded $3 billion in economic activity, $632 million in taxes and over 31,000 jobs. This comes as ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools look to defend themselves amid heightened scrutiny of their educational standards. A pro-yeshiva organization is taking another stab at restricting the state’s ability to supervise instruction in the schools. — Madina Touré More from Albany: — Hochul is being urged to waive New York City’s so-called sanctuary laws over terrorism concerns. (New York Post) — When she worked in the Cuomo administration, the now-indicted Linda Sun helped secure personal protective equipment and ventilators from China. (Newsday) — Hochul has made rosy statements about MTA funding, but they don’t necessarily align with reality. (Gothamist)
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