Teachers take 1,000 apples to New York governor in protest for increased education funding

Teachers from an apple-growing region in New York have delivered 1,000 of them to Gov. Andrew Cuomo (KWOH'-moh) to protest education funding levels.

The teachers from the Finger Lakes say each of the shiny red apples represents a local teaching position unfilled because of years of underfunding for public education. They laid the baskets of apples in front of Cuomo's office Friday as a guard looked on.

Cuomo's spokesman says the office couldn't accept the apples because of restrictions on officials taking gifts. The teachers plan to give the fruit to a food bank.

The Democratic governor wants to increase education funding of $22 billion by about $1.1 billion this year.

Teachers' unions say greater investments are needed. They also oppose the governor's calls for changes in teacher evaluations and tenure.