Budget Update: SCHOOLS FACE DEVASATING CUTS! LEGISLATURE STILL HAS THE POWER TO SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.

5 April 2011

Greetings from Educate Our State:

Unfortunately, late last week, our Legislature missed the deadline for a June special election vote to keep our school funding at its current level. You can watch Governor Brown’s video announcement here.

The efforts of the “Let Us Vote!” campaign did not go unnoticed – with over 60,000 letters written from Educate Our State supporters like you and media mentions from across the state. However, the fight is not over.  In the face of $5 billion in cuts to education ($800 per student) - we can't give up on our kids!

THE LEGISLATURE CAN STILL SAVE SCHOOL FUNDING - here are two options:

A. The Legislature can maintain all or some of the current revenue by a legislative vote NOW; or
B. The Legislature can approve a special election (public vote) for a later date -- probably November.

NOTE: regarding the timing of passing the revenue extensions: If the revenue is approved by the end of June, (option A above), school districts will not have to act on their "doomsday" budgets. If the revenue is approved later, (option B above), school districts will have to act on their worst case budgets, which will mean larger class sizes, massive lay-offs, shorter school year, program reductions, and much more damage to California's children.

What can we do?

1. Keep the pressure on our Legislature--don't let up!  Two-thirds of the Legislature must vote to maintain current revenue levels or our schools will face huge budget cuts.  Keep sending letters and making calls!
2. Watch for the Educate Our State action plan: We are joining forces with other statewide groups (including CA PTA, PICO and others), to make our voices heard and increase the pressure on our legislators to do what is best for all of the 6.2 million K-12 public school children.

Together, we can save our schools!

For more information about Educate Our State, a list of our partner organizations and our efforts to unite the voices of Californians in support of K-12 public education and demand real change visit the Educate Our State website atwww.educateourstate.org. Follow us on facebook, twitter, purchase a car magnet or consider a donation.

Thank you!

The Educate Our State Team

www.educateourstate.org