Action needed NOW! Oppose the Senate Budget Proposal that Hurts Public Schools

The State Senate has announced a vote today (Friday August 29, 2008) on a new state budget proposal that hurts public schools, healthcare and other vital services now and in the future.

UTLA and CTA oppose the Senate Budget Proposal and ask you to call your Senator NOW!

* The Senate Budget Proposal gives the Governor the power to make midyear budget cuts to local schools and eliminate the cost-of-living-increases for education that are currently required by state law. This provision would make it impossible for local schools to function. Schools and colleges could not meet the demands of students, increased costs or provide stable employee salaries. That's budget chaos, not budget reform.

* The Senate Budget Proposal continues to cut billions of dollars from education, healthcare and other vital services that all Californians deserve. California already ranks 46th in the nation for per-pupil funding. This budget proposal would keep California schools at the bottom.

* The Senate Budget Proposal fails to provide ongoing revenues to prevent deeper cuts to schools, colleges and healthcare. More borrowing is not the answer and neither is a temporary tax increase. When the temporary sales tax goes away, California will again be $4-6 billion in the hole.

* The Senate Budget Proposal locks in budget cuts, but does not provide permanent new revenues.

We need to tell the legislature, which is feeling pressure to pass a budget, that this budget is not acceptable.

Call the "Cuts Hurt Hotline" 1-888-268-4334. They need to hear from everyone.

Press 1, to be connected directly to your Senator

Pass this email along to friends, family and colleagues.