Legislative Alert
January 15, 2009
California State Budget:
Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times
Action Needed – you need not be a PTA member to act for children:
Please call or email your state assembly member, state senator and the governor right away and deliver the following messages:
- We must find a balanced approach to the budget crisis that includes sufficient new revenues to protect children and the future of California.
- Support continued funding for programs and services that help ensure that all children can succeed, such as smaller class sizes, arts and physical education, science, counselors, nurses, librarians, and health and social services for children.
- We cannot build a world class public education system by going backwards in funding for education and other children's services.
To find your legislators' contact information, click here. To contact the governor, click here.
Background
With a worsening economy, state legislators and the Governor are faced with difficult decisions to adopt a balanced state budget. The Governor's 2009-2010 budget proposal includes deep cuts to education, health and human services as well as tax increases and borrowing.
In releasing the proposed budget last week, the Governor stated:
"California, like the rest of the nation is in the midst of a severe economic downturn. The combined effect of the state's continuing structural budget deficit and the loss of revenues resulting from the economic downturn results in a budget gap of $41.6 billion, just under half of the revenues projected for 2009-10. This is the most challenging budget in the state's history. It demands quick action and calls for every type of solution possible, including major spending cuts, revenue increases, borrowing and cash management strategies."
California State PTA issued a press release (copy follows) yesterday in response to the latest budget proposal. In the release, Pam Brady, President, states:
"Don't think for a minute that we don't understand the magnitude of the current financial crisis. Families throughout California are living each day with the realities of the economic downturn. But families also understand that we have a responsibility to children and their future which cannot be compromised in bad economic times.
"We believe the smartest economic stimulus plan for California right now is to invest in the future by investing in the education, health and welfare of our state's children."
The Governor's latest budget proposal would cut an additional $6 billion to public schools over the next 18 months. When combined with cuts already made to our schools in the current year and proposed accounting maneuvers to delay other payments owed to schools, the total cuts are nearly $11 billion -- not including other cuts to vital children's services.
A recent national study revealed that California recently slipped from 46th to 47th in the nation in terms of per-student funding -- funding which goes to hire and train teachers, provide instructional programs and materials, ensure smaller class sizes, and provide all other aspects of a quality education to every student.
Next Steps
The Board of Managers of the California State PTA has voted to launch an aggressive campaign to protect children. In the coming weeks we will be providing additional information, resources and advice to help you communicate a strong message for a greater investment in children and against deeper budget cuts.
Budget Details on the Web
Press release issued by PTA in response to the state budget
California Budget Project Analysis
Schwarzenegger seeks education cuts
Governor Holds Press Conference to Discuss State Budget
Legislative Analyst's Office 2009-10 Budget Analysis Series: Overview of the Governor's Budget
California State PTA | 2327 L Street | Sacramento | CA | 95816 | info@capta.org
press release
CONTACT: Carol Kocivar
Vice President, Communications
(415) 577-1125
Alison apRoberts, Communications Manager
(916) 440-1985, ext. 106
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 14, 2009
PTA Responds to State Budget:
Our responsibility to children cannot be cut in bad economic times
Pam Brady, President of the California State PTA, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's budget proposal and ongoing negotiations with legislators.
“Don’t think for a minute that we don’t understand the magnitude of the current financial crisis. Families throughout California are living each day with the realities of the economic downturn. But families also understand that we have a responsibility to children and their future which cannot be compromised in bad economic times.
“We believe the smartest economic stimulus plan for California right now is to invest in the future by investing in the education, health and welfare of our state’s children.
“The latest budget proposal would cut an additional $6 billion to schools. When combined with cuts already made to our schools in the current year and proposed accounting maneuvers to delay other payments owed to schools, we’re looking at total cuts of about $11 billion.
“Cuts of this magnitude fail the basic test of good government. They hurt our children.
“These proposed cuts will completely derail efforts to provide a world-class education to all students. We are already 47th in the nation in terms of how much our state spends per student on education. These cuts are likely to make us dead last.
“The mission of California State PTA is to positively impact the lives of all children and families. We cannot and will not back away from that mission during tough economic times. In fact, these are the times when the children of California need our advocacy the most.
“The 120-member Board of Managers of the California State PTA has voted to launch an aggressive campaign to protect children from drastic budget cuts.”
The California State PTA is a branch of the 111-year old National PTA, with nearly one million members statewide. The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest-profile volunteer organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto "Every child, one voice." PTA volunteers work in their schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all California children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-commercial. For more information, go to www.capta.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment