From the Offices of the

California Teachers Association

As CTA warned lawmakers in September when they approved a 2008-09 state budget based on borrowing gimmicks, California is once again facing a massive state budget deficit.

To deal with this crisis, Governor Schwarzenegger has called a Special Legislative Session <http://gov.ca.gov/issue/state-budget/> and has proposed midyear budget cuts of $4.5 billion, including a $2.5 billion cut to public schools, and a series of revenue increases.

The independent Legislative Analyst's Office is projecting a $27.8 billion hole over the next 20 months. And for the first time, the LAO is recommending that the state include new revenues in a solution.

It seems like the writing is on the wall: NEW REVENUE IS NEEDED NOW. But so far, there has been little action in the Assembly or Senate, and Republican leaders <http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/story/1399263.html> are holding firm on their “no tax” pledge, which could mean billions in education cuts this year.

I don’t have to tell you that our schools can’t take any more cuts. The pain from last year’s cuts is felt all over the state. We’d like to know how the cuts are affecting your schools. These local examples will be important as we share with legislators what their action (or inaction) is really doing to our students and schools. Share your story with us here. <http://www.cta.org/forms/BudgetCrisisYourStory.aspx>

Know that CTA <http://www.cta.org/issues/current/Budget_Crisis_2008-09.htm> and the Education Coalition <http://www.protectourstudents.org/> are united in opposing these cuts and demanding long-term, stable revenues for our schools.

We’ve put together the following online resources to keep you and your members informed:

• Education Coalition Position Paper <http://www.cta.org/NR/rdonlyres/CCD7836C-1D31-46EC-962D-5A2D41360580/0/Ed_Co_Talking_Points_budget_1107.pdf>
• CTA analysis of Governor’s proposal <http://www.cta.org/issues/current/CTA+Analysis+State+Budget+Crisis+11+17+2008.htm
• A statement from me <http://www.cta.org/issues/current/DS+Budget+Statement+11+13+2008.htm>
• LAO report <https://www.cta.org/NR/rdonlyres/E08D9679-ABAF-4F62-8BA3-64D8402F88C1/0/LAONovReviseOverview.pdf>
• Real-life examples of education cuts <https://www.cta.org/issues/current/Budget+Cuts+Impact.htm>

While on cta.org you can also e-mail your legislator <http://capwiz.com/nea/ca/home/> and sign up to be a Budget Advocate. I encourage you to use the resources above to plan local events to share with the media and the public how these cuts are affecting your schools.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and share with your members. We are at a critical juncture in fighting for funding for public schools. We will have to work together to save our profession and make sure our students have a chance at a successful future.

David A. Sanchez
CTA President