Party line vote also includes retributions to silence teachers
<http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/GTWQKNULGL/3375177596>
Take Action Now! <http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/EJTIKNULGM/3375177596>
The
Senate Appropriations Committee passed their version of the FY2010 budget this
evening. The committee voted on partisan lines with Republicans voting in
support of the cuts, and the Democrats opposing. In
addition to over $800 million in K-12 cuts, the bill included non-budget
related anti-teacher language that would restrict the ability of teachers to
use their own leave time to visit the Capitol to talk to legislators or
advocate for public education and the profession. It also included a provision
that would limit teachers rights to be represented and eliminates the
requirement that teachers who are being non-renewed be notified by April 15. Senator
Rebecca Rios (D- Pinal County) called these policy changes an attempt to stifle
the voices of those working in our public schools stating, "this is direct
retribution against teachers willing to speak out for public schools and their
students." Senator Rios offered two committee amendments: the first
restored the soft capital cuts and the second removed the attacks on public
school employees that are currently in the bill. Both amendments failed
on party-line votes. AEA
President John Wright testified in committee and was attacked by the Senate
Appropriations Chair Russell Pearce (R- Mesa) who claimed that cuts to the
inflation factor and building renewal funding were not cuts to education.
Senator Pearce was restrained from continuing to attack Mr. Wright by Senator
Hale (D - Window Rock) so Wright could continue his testimony. It has
been reported that the House and Senate Republican leadership support this
budget package but they may be dangerously out of step with their own caucus
members. Your legislators need to know you oppose this budget and want
Democrats and Republicans to join forces with the Governor to create a budget
that supports public schools through appropriate revenue enhancements and use
of stimulus dollars. Contact them now
<http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/OWSJKNULGN/3375177596>
. You can
also keep the pressure on by signing
<http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/EGMUKNULGO/3375177596
> up <http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/BMJSKNULGP/3375177596
> to be at the Arizona Capitol during the month of June. Learn more <http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/HZBUKNULGQ/3375177596>
. Special
Notice-
It appears Governor Brewer will be issuing a special session call to expand the
private school voucher program permitting increased amounts to be donated to a
school tuition organization (STO) in exchange for a tax credit. The
Governor and Republican Legislative leadership have their priorities wrong by
considering a law allowing more revenue to be diverted to private schools on
the same day the Senate Appropriations Committee axed funding to schools,
health care and children's social services.
Act now <http://capwiz.com/nea/az/utr/1/ACNHKNULCT/MLFVKNULGR/3375177596>
by sending teh Governor a message.
