THE ASSEMBLY

STATE OF NEW YORK

ALBANY

CHAIR
MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEE
CHAIR
PUERTO RICAN/HISPANIC TASK FORCE
CHAIR
FELIX W. ORTIZ
Assemblyman 51st District Subcommittee on Sweatshops
COMMITTEES
Kings County
Correction
Economic Development, Job Creation,
Commerce & Industry
Labor
Rules

May 13, 2010

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to you today to clarify the position of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force
on the issue of Charter Schools. As chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force I would like to
state that your article contained some inaccurate information regarding the opinion of the Task
Force on the subject of charter schools.

A meeting of the Task Force was held on Tuesday May 11th, 2010 regarding several
issues, one of which was the issue of charter schools. I would like to clarify that the Task Force
had many different opinions on this issue. After a presentation from Assemblyman Camara,
much discussion took place about the issue and no unanimous consensus was reached on the
topic. Assemblymembers Nelson Castro, Philip Ramos and I were not in favor of supporting
charter schools and our position has not changed.

Finally, in your article you stated that Peter M. Rivera is the reigning Chair of the Puerto
Rican/Hispanic Task Force. Assemblyman Rivera has not been the Chair of the Task Force for
several years. I have recently been appointed the chair of the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force
and will be doing my utmost to protect the issues which affect the Puerto Rican and Hispanic
communities in New York State.

Sincerely,

Felix W. Ortiz
Chair, The New York State Assembly
Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.

▫ Room 826, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248, (518) 455-3821

▫ District Office: 404 55 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11220, (718) 492-6334
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