January 2008

Happy New Year!

I hope you all have had a relaxing winter break.
We have an interesting and busy year ahead.

-VTA Action Team:

An Action Team (about 19 members) met before winter break and will have information coming to you about our next action to support bargaining. Thank you to the members who stepped up to this important task (and Doug Appel, our fabulous CTA staffer). Remember, after each bargaining session, the bargaining team puts together notes on the proposals and responses. Stay informed! Encourage your rep to post the latest update on the VTA bulletin board at your site.

-February 5th primary election:

Check out http://www.cta.org/issues/current/campaign/ for CTA’s endorsement explanations. Summary:
No on Prop 91-restirctions on transportation funding
No on Prop 92-changes to community college funding
Yes on Prop 93-flexibility in state term limits
CTA has not endorsed any candidate for the presidential primary or general election yet.

-Election Petitions: STOP -- DON'T SIGN!

NO on cutting pensions for new teachers -- This measure would gut teachers’ pensions and retiree health care.  
Still in signature-gathering phase -- don't sign petition.  
NO on Electoral College votes measure --  This measure would change the way California allocates its electoral votes in the presidential election.  
Still in signature-gathering phase -- don't sign petition.

-MyVote California:

To encourage young people to be active voters once they are old enough to cast a ballot, students, teachers and principals are invited to join a youth civic engagement project, MyVote California.   Sponsored by Secretary of State Debra Bowen and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, MyVote California taps into the excitement of the upcoming election by offering high school students a chance to learn about the candidates and issues, and gain firsthand lessons on the power of voting and how government and politics affect every part of their lives. Students will vote for their choice in a mock election to be held on January 28-29, one week before California’s Presidential Primary Election. Engaging lesson plans and activities chosen by MyVote California partner the California Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools will provide teachers with the tools needed to help their students become informed and involved voters in 2008 and beyond. 
Check out http://www.cta.org/issues/current/campaign/MyVote_California.htm
for info.

-NCLB victory-for now
See CTA President David Sanchez’s letter to CTA members at https://www.cta.org/issues/esea/NCLB+Victory+Letter.htm