From the Offices of the

California Teachers Association

February 6,  2009

EDUCATION FUNDING IN JEOPARDY: CALL YOUR SENATORS TODAY!!!! Education funding in  the proposed economic recovery package is in serious danger.  An amendment being offered by Senators Nelson (D-NE) and Collins (R-ME) would drastically reduce the education funding in the  economic recovery package.   This funding is very  important.  It will help save jobs and  put more money immediately into struggling local economies.  It will also reduce pressure on state budgets  so more cuts to important programs can be avoided.   The Nelson-Collins amendment would cut one-half of the funds allocated for:

1. Flexible   funds to local school districts ($39 billion)
2. Special  education/IDEA ($6.8 billion)
3. Title       I  ($6.5 billion)
4. Head       Start ($1 billion)
5. Teacher  Quality grants ($50 million)

These  cuts would undermine the intent of the economic recovery package to take  pressure off state budgets stretched to their limits and infuse critically  needed resources immediately into local communities.  See how the amendment would impact funding for your state.    Contact your Senators  Today!
Tell Members of the  Senate to VOTE NO on the Nelson-Collins amendment and to pass the American  Recovery and Reinvestment Act with the education funding intact.