NEW YORK—Bill de Blasio says Albany is denying democratic rights after a top lawmaker says he won’t bring the mayor’s pre-kindergarten plan to a vote.
De Blasio wants to raise taxes on the rich to fund universal pre-kindergarten and after-school programs.
But the Democratic mayor needs approval from the state Legislature. And Republican leader Dean Skelos (SKEHL'-ohs) says he won’t introduce the tax hike on the Senate floor.
De Blasio said Tuesday at a Brooklyn church rally that he’s “miffed” at Skelos because he thought they were working toward a deal.
The mayor has made the plan the centerpiece of his first months in office.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also is not supporting the tax. He wants to fund pre-kindergarten with money from the state budget.
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