Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Date]

[Representative’s Name]

[Representative’s Office Address]

Dear [Representative’s Name],

I am writing to express my strong opposition to Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed statewide cellphone ban in schools and the $13 million allocated for locking bags to enforce it. This policy is not only wasteful but also dangerous, as it fails to address the real issues impacting school safety and education.

Why This Policy is Misguided

 1. No Educational Merit or Safety Outcomes

There is no data to support the claim that banning cellphones in schools improves safety or educational outcomes. In emergencies, cellphones have saved lives by allowing students to call for help, share critical information with law enforcement, and contact their families. Removing this tool puts students at greater risk and offers no measurable benefits.

 2. Misplaced Priorities

Spending $13 million on locking bags is a misuse of taxpayer dollars that could be better spent addressing real needs in our schools, such as:

 • Hiring more special education teachers and support staff.

 • Providing mental health resources and counselors.

 • Improving access to assistive technology for students with disabilities.

 • Funding School Resource Officers (SROs) in districts that lack them.

 3. Phones are Lifelines, Not Just Distractions

For many students, especially those with disabilities, phones serve as critical tools for assistive technology, communication, and safety. Banning them removes a vital resource and disproportionately harms vulnerable students.

 4. A Dangerous Erosion of Parental Rights

Parents should decide how and when their children use cellphones—not the state. Phones are often the only way parents can stay connected with their children, especially in emergencies. This policy undermines the parent-child relationship and sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach.

 5. Failed Policies and Systemic Issues

Governor Hochul’s cellphone ban distracts from addressing the real challenges in our schools, such as outdated discipline matrices and policies like “Raise the Age,” which have complicated how schools manage violence and behavioral issues. These systemic failures need to be addressed—not hidden behind performative policies like banning cellphones.

Rather than implementing a costly and ineffective cellphone ban, I urge you to focus on policies that address the root causes of bullying, school violence, and educational inequities. This $13 million could be used to improve mental health support, hire additional teachers, and implement preventative safety measures that truly make a difference.

I respectfully ask you to oppose Governor Hochul’s cellphone ban and advocate for real solutions that prioritize student safety, educational equity, and parental rights.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]