Pigs must be flying, because there's something Mayor Bill de Blasio and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani agree on! Of course, that thing is something we all hate: Albany politics!

Mayor Michael Bloomberg had convinced state lawmakers to give him control of the schools and got it renewed in 2009, noting, "I think that there'd be riots in the streets" if it wasn't renewed. It's set to expire this summer, and the Daily News reports that Governor Cuomo "has proposed extending it for three years" while "Assembly Democrats are pushing for a seven-year extension that would carry through de Blasio’s second term, when he will be term-limited out of office." But the Senate GOP is dragging its feet:

“Mayor de Blasio is presiding over a school system with 91 failing schools and now he wants permanent control of the City schools before he even sits down and explains his vision for education to the State Legislature,” Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said. “We’re going to take a good, hard look at this and ultimately we will act in the best interest of students and their families, not what is politically expedient for Mayor de Blasio.”

But maybe the ol' Giuliani charm can change Republicans' minds? Here's the letter from BDB and RG.

March 23, 2015

Dear Governor Cuomo and State Legislators:

One of the most effective ways to ensure the success of our public schools is with direct accountability -- and mayoral control of the New York City public school system provides exactly that.

This is a proven reform with broad support among parents, educators and officials from all ends of the spectrum. Mayoral control provides parents and taxpayers alike with a clear answer on who to hold responsible for the academic performance for our children. It enables the elected mayor to enact innovative new policies and make vital changes, while also empowering local communities through Community and Citywide Education Councils and the Panel for Educational Policy.

Proposals that would limit mayoral control will only take us backward to a time of blurred lines of accountability. Graduation rates, college readiness rates, and test scores are showing signs of improvement, and the success of our children demands that we move forward.

It is no secret that the two of us disagree on a great many things - but we both know that mayoral control of the public school system ensures direct accountability and is absolutely essential for the future progress and development of New York City schools. This is why Mayor Giuliani made securing mayoral control a top priority of his education agenda, and pushed hard for its implementation during his tenure. And it is why Mayor de Blasio is fighting hard to extend and secure mayoral control.

We urge the State of New York to act this legislative session to protect mayoral control of New York City public schools.

Sincerely,

Mayor Bill de Blasio

Mayor Rudy Giuliani