Cuomo to be honored as "Champion for Charters"

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's support of charter schools in New York City and across the state has earned him the honor as a "Champion for Charters" from a national group at a event next month in Washington.

"This year Governor Cuomo stepped in to support the charter school community in New York City at a critical time," the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools said in a news release yesterday. "He negotiated a budget deal with state lawmakers that guarantees future New York City charter schools rent-free space in under-used public school buildings or funding to offset the cost of renting a building."

The event will be May 6 at the U.S. Capitol. It's unclear whether Cuomo will attend; he rarely leaves the state.

He will be honored along with Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, a Republican, and Illinois senator Mark Kirk, a Republican, as well as Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, the former NBA star.

Cuomo's support of charter schools comes as his relationship with unions are strained.

The New York State United Teachers' union has opposed the charter school expansion, and its new president said the union won't likely back Cuomo in his re-election bid in November.

Cuomo is also hosting a retreat on charter schools next month in Lake Placid.