In response to Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address, the New York Civil Liberties Union released the following statement, attributable to Executive Director Donna Lieberman:

“Governor Cuomo’s criminal justice reform package is an unprecedented step toward the transparency that is so essential in mending community-police relations. By providing the public with uncensored information about what our police officers are doing and the impact of policing practices, these reforms would allow New Yorkers and our elected officials to make informed judgments about law enforcement policy. Public reporting of race data is the crucial first step toward turning a thorny, painful issue into reforms that protect and promote basic rights and liberties along with public safety. The legislature should act swiftly to enact the transparency that we so desperately need.

“Unfortunately, the governor’s proposal to link the DREAM Act to a scheme that would divert precious resources away from public schools to private, parochial and charter schools is of serious concern. Education is the foundation for future success for both New York’s children and the state’s financial well-being. Transferring public money to private schools undermines both. It also violates the foundational principle that bars the government from endorsing religion.”

The NYCLU has been leading the effort encouraging transparency with regard to law enforcement and in December sent a letter to Governor Cuomo urging, among other reforms, public reporting on race data. It also aggressively lobbied legislators last session to reject the public funding of private education and will continue leading the effort this year.