Legislative Information Alert

CALIFORNIA STATE PTA
State Budget Action Alert
September 17, 2008

ALL Legislators Need to Hear From You Right Away!

Action:

Email or call your state legislators starting today. Urge them not to over-ride the Governor’s budget veto. Instead ask them to work together towards a new budget deal that addresses California’s challenges with additional, stable revenues that prevent short and long-term cuts to education and children’s services.

Background:

California State PTA opposed the budget that was passed by the Legislature in the early morning hours on Monday night by the Legislature. The Governor stated yesterday that he will veto the budget package. We urge the Legislature not to over-ride the Governor’s veto, but instead to go back to work on a new budget that will truly meet the needs of California’s children and California’s future.

Everyone in California is tired of the long budget delay, and the state desperately needs a budget – but legislators need to come up with a new plan that includes real and sufficient revenues and prevents deeper cuts to education and children’s services.

The budget sent by the Legislature to the Governor earlier this week relies too much on borrowing and gimmicks that are not in our state’s long-term interest. Even legislative leaders have acknowledged that budget simply pushes the problems aside for another year.

After months of delay, Californians deserve better. The veto presents an opportunity for the Legislature to go back and get it right.

Addition Background to Help Respond to Comments or Questions from Legislators

Q. Doesn’t this budget protect education funding?

A. No. The budget passed by the Legislature shortchanges schools by about $3 billion. The budget funds schools at a level that is $1.1 billion higher than the May Revise proposed by the Governor, but still lower by $1.8 billion than the Legislature’s own Conference Committee proposal – and even that proposal already made significant cuts to education. In addition, the budget just passed by the Legislature includes a modest cost of living adjustment of 0.6% for revenue limits, but not for any categorical programs.

Q. Well, if this budget is vetoed, what is PTA asking for?

A. First of all, we’re asking legislators not to over-ride the veto. Instead, go back to work to craft a budget that is better for California’s children and our future. We have said all along we need a budget that takes a balanced approach with increased revenues to prevent deeper cuts. The budget passed earlier this week is really a “house of cards” because it relies on borrowing and accounting gimmicks. Take one card away and the whole thing could crumble – and that would mean even less predictable or adequate funding for education and children’s programs in future years. We can’t afford that. We need a real budget solution this year, one with real revenues that prevent deeper cuts. Even legislative leaders have acknowledged that the budget they just passed simply hands off the problem off for another year.

Q. Won’t any further delay of the budget just hurt students and others even more?

A. The Legislature created this delay – not parents or educators or the public. California State PTA supported a legislative compromise budget proposal way back in July. It wasn’t a budget package that we especially liked, but we recognized the need for a compromise in this tough economic year. There is no question we need a budget passed right away. The lack of a state budget has a real impact on many people. But after waiting three months for the Legislature to do its job, we believe it would be much better for California if the Legislature took at least a few more days to go back and get the job done right. The Governor’s veto gives the Legislature that opportunity.

1. Call 1-888-268-4334, the "Cuts Hurt Hotline" (Special hotline provided by CTA, as we need action now!)

2. Press 1, to be connected directly to your Senator

3. Tell your Senator:  “Do not over-ride the Governor’s budget veto!”

4. Call again, pressing 2 to be connected directly to your Assembly member and urge them not to over-ride the Governor’s budget veto.

Or

To find your legislators’ contact information, please go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html