Parents Announce Statewide Plan to Flunk the Budget

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At its leadership meeting last evening, the California State PTA rolled out plans for a major statewide campaign in opposition to the governor's proposed state budget cuts to education and children's services.

"This budget flunks the basic test of good government: It hurts our children," said PTA President Pam Brady, at the association's 120-member Board of Managers meeting. "This proposed budget does not value the education, health or welfare of our children or the future of California."

California State PTA will work in partnership with other education, health, safety and children's groups as part of a statewide coalition to oppose the budget cuts. In addition, PTA announced plans to educate and activate PTA's massive membership at the local level, including launching weekly "flunk-the-budget Friday" activities in legislative districts around the state. Fridays are the days when legislators are typically at home in their districts.

"Our one-million volunteer members throughout California are revved up. They're angry and frustrated. Across-the-board cuts have a direct effect on our ability as a state to educate the next generation. Parents understand we can't build a world-class education system in California by investing less money in our children," Brady said.

"PTA is ready to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to prevent these cuts. We urge state legislators from both parties to come up with a balanced solution -- one that doesn't harm our children. Legislators will be hearing from their local parents and community leaders each and every week until the legislature steps up and does the right thing for California," she said.

California State PTA's campaign comes in response to the proposed $4.4 billion cut to K-14 education in the governor's 2008-09 budget, as well as cuts to foster care programs, child welfare services, CalWORKS programs, children's services health care programs, Medi-Cal, early childhood education, and juvenile rehabilitation and crime prevention grants.

The California State PTA's volunteer Board of Managers is made up of the Board of Directors, 10 commissions and their committees and 29 District Presidents. The association's advocacy efforts on behalf of all children are guided by an all-volunteer advocacy team.

The PTA is the nation's oldest, largest and highest profile volunteer organization working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto "Every child, one voice." PTA volunteers work in their schools and communities to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is non-profit, non-secretarian and non-commercial.

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