News From Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs Legislation Team

The Las Trampas Legislation Advocacy Team led a wildly successful letter campaign, sending our elected officials a loud message that we cannot further erode public education in California. In April, over 14,000 letters were delivered to our representatives and the leadership of the State Legislature. Together with our letter campaign in March, they have received almost 20,000 letters from Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Orinda and Moraga. Thanks so much for your support of our schools.

Together, we are changing minds. Whereas in January, it seemed a foregone conclusion that our Governor and legislators would withhold school funding provided under Proposition 98, today our elected officials now know how much people oppose such cuts. Democrats are now defending against cuts to Prop 98, and some members are now talking about ways to generate revenues to reduce the impact on our schools.

Downloading and signing letters may not feel like a critical activity, but it continues to be an essential way to tell elected officials to protect funding and support public schools in California. If you wanted to send a letter earlier but didn't get around to it, it's not too late. While the State budget deficit is still under debate, you can still weigh in. Download the letter (which you can edit further), and send them in.

IT IS CRITICAL TO STAY INVOLVED

But we need more than just our letters. The debate in Sacramento to approve a State budget will extend well into this summer - maybe into the fall. We need to be persistent, or else Sacramento will take the path of least resistance and not try to find a more balanced approach to solving the budget problems facing California schools. Please stay involved.

The California PTA has organized the FLUNK THE BUDGET campaign. It provides easy-to-understand information and direction on how you and your friends can make an impact on Sacramento, large and small:

Call or write your legislators and tell them you want them to oppose cuts to education
Join in local rallies to show strong community support of our schools
If you know friends and family in Republican-represented districts (e.g. Central Valley, Inland Empire, Orange and San Diego Counties), call and educate them on the importance of strong public schools. And have THEM call their State Legislature representatives to lobby for their support

JOIN IN RALLIES & EVENTS FOR SCHOOLS

Several rallies and events are scheduled or in the making. Come with your signs and show of support:

April 24, 2008 - State PTA Rally for Schools in Sacramento, 11 am. Meet at the north steps of the State Capitol
April 25, 2008 - Local Rally to Support Schools, 12 noon, Sycamore Valley Elementary, 2200 Holbrook Dr., Danville
May 6, 2008 - Superintendents Forum, 7-9 pm, Acalanes High School Little Theatre, 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette. The Superintendents from the Orinda, Moraga, Acalanes High School, Walnut Creek and Lafayette School Districts will convene to discuss how they are managing the budget crisis, and address parent and community questions

GET SMART On Education provides information about issues and legislation that affect public education in the Lamorinda and Walnut Creek communities The Las Trampas Creek Legislation Team provides links to expert and government reports, and encourages active citizenship to voice your views about government decisions that affect school funding and programs. The Legislation Team is a committee of the Las Trampas Creek Council PTA serving local school communities within the Acalanes Union High School District attendance area. The Legislation Team meets monthly throughout the year and welcomes all to participate.