It is hard to imagine, but the PA House advanced a state budget in Harrisburg that is far worse for public schools than the budget Governor Corbett proposed earlier this year. Call Harrisburg this week to tell them this is unacceptable.
Our friends at Education Voters of Pennsylvania are putting together a Statewide Call to Action on Friday, June 27th and Monday, June 30th. Please spread this info far and wide, and make sure to call your representatives.
As Ed Voters writes, "advocates must speak out loudly and with one voice in support of responsible funding for public schools this year. If we do not speak up now, public education will likely receive little more than scraps in the budget this year."
Please see the letter below for more info and full details on tomorrow and Monday's call-in days.
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Friends and Allies,
On Friday, June 27th, and Monday, June 30th, Education Voters will be holding the next "Call to Action for Public Education" days!
It is hard to imagine, but the PA House advanced a state budget in Harrisburg that is far worse for public schools than the budget Governor Corbett proposed earlier this year.
The PA House is calling to eliminate the $241 million increase in state funding for proposed Ready to Learn Block grants and replace this with a paltry $70 million increase in Basic Education Funding. Under the House budget, PA school districts would lose about 70% of the increases in state funding they were expecting to receive this year and that they were relying on to balance their budgets.
The House budget is irresponsible and unacceptable. It does not call for a shale tax or a cigarette tax. Instead, it relies on the sale of state liquor stores (which the Senate has so far not supported), gimmicky sources of one-time funding, and the suspension of selected tax credits to balance the budget.
Budget negotiations are just beginning. While the budget is still fluid and negotiations are taking place, advocates must speak out loudly and with one voice in support of responsible funding for public schools this year. If we do not speak up now, public education will likely receive little more than scraps in the budget this year.
As with previous Call to Action for Education days, we are asking for broad participation from all organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth. It is incredibly important the legislators in Harrisburg see that people are paying attention. Communities are using these call-in-days to help spread the word about what is happening to our schools, so please join us again!
I have attached materials that you can share as-is or customize, including how to make a good call and key points about the how legislators can improve the proposed budget, so people are prepared to call in. If there is anything we can do to support your efforts, please let us know.
You can always check our website where we have information and materials.
WHEN: Friday, June 27 AND Monday, June 30, 2014
WHAT: Call to Action for Public Education – It’s time for a fair budget for PA’s students!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: Mark your calendar and plan to ask your own network to take action
Suggested communication schedule
- Put the date on your calendar today
- Send a “Get Ready” email on Thursday, June 26 or Friday, June 27 with action materials
- Send a Take Action email on Monday morning and promote the day on social media. Twitter: #educationpa and #pabudget
Thank you for your support of our public schools. Please contact me if I can help you with this in any way or if you have questions.
Susan Spicka
Sample “Get Ready” email
On Monday, June 30, the Caucus of Working Educators, in collaboration with Education Voters PA, will be participating in a statewide call in day, to call Harrisburg.
Join thousands of parents, students, teachers and community members from across the state to SPEAK UP in support of our public schools on Monday, June 30th.
Under the proposed House budget, PA school districts would lose about 70% of the increases in state funding they were expecting to receive this year and that they were relying on to balance their budgets.
Budget negotiations are just beginning. While the budget is still fluid and negotiations are taking place, advocates must speak out loudly and with one voice in support of responsible funding for public schools this year. If we do not speak up now, public education will likely receive little more than scraps in the budget this year. We know that just 10 calls in one day to one legislator can make a difference in what a legislator pays attention to.
Mark your calendar today for Monday, June 30th – and do 3 things in 10 minutes to make a difference! Click here for your legislators' phone numbers. Click here for tips on how to make a good phone call.
1. Call your State Senator.
2. Call your State Representative.
3. Call Gov. Corbett's office at (717) 787-2500.
Ask them to:
- Support the adoption of a shale tax, cigarette tax and any reasonable measure to raise revenue and close tax loopholes.
- Support an increase in the Basic Education Funding line that is equal to what was in the proposed Ready to Learn Block Grant.
- Support and advocate for state funding for charter school reimbursement to be restored.
- Support SB 1316/HB2138, the special education funding and accountability reform bill. (Additional information about this bill can be found atwww.educationvoterspa.org)
Want to double your impact? Ask a friend to make a call that day too!
Please take 5-10 minutes on Monday, June 30th to help ensure a bright future for Pennsylvania!
Visit us on the web at EducationVotersPA.org where you can Sign Up for Updates
Follow us on Twitter at @EdVotersPA and #educationPA