Kathy Hochul blasted for launching 'tone deaf' big furry mascot to promote school cell phone ban

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is refusing to disclose what it is costing New Yorkers to fund the fuzzy "Frankie Focus" mascot. The "Sesame Street'"-like character has been unveiled in the Empire State as part of an effort to promote cellphone bans in public schools.

Educators in New York, however, disagree with the use of the fuzzy mascot, calling it "tone-deaf." Queens high school teacher Moshe Spern told the New York Post, “It’s completely tone-deaf. We all agree that the cellphone ban would be great for students and learning. But having a silly cartoon character be the focus of the promotion loses the target audience: middle school and high school students."

The veteran teacher added, “Having a cartoon character thrown in their face is not going to make them happy. It insults their intelligence.” High school parents seemed to agree as well. Yiatin Chu told the outlet, “The use of a mascot doesn’t appeal to parents and certainly not high school students. It doesn’t appeal to me."