Legislative Alert
February 26, 2010
9 Million Reasons to Speak Up!
  Take action now!
Now is the time for PTA members to take action to help California's more than 9 million children. To make our voices heard, California State PTA has developed an action plan with ideas and resources to help you mobilize your members and communities throughout the state. 
 
In the past two years, the state has cut $17 billion from schools, and deep cuts to social services have added to the burden borne by children and families.  An additional $2.4 billion is now being proposed in new cuts to schools, as well as the possible elimination of entire health programs that serve children.  PTA strongly opposes these proposals.
 
We must speak up for all children now!  We must demand that the state invest in their education and well-being.
 
The following menu lists actions your PTA unit, council and district can take.  We encourage you to do as many of the activities as feasible for your group.  Easy-to-use samples are included to assist you.
 
Your involvement will make a difference.
ACTION ITEMS - Target Dates
WRITE LETTERS TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS - Begin now
HOLD A LOCAL SCHOOL FUNDING INITIATIVE PETITION DRIVE - Now to March 31
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - Feb 22 to March 5
  • PTA leaders and members submit letters to the editor to local newspapers and other media.
  • Letter to the editor
PARTICIPATE IN A STATEWIDE DAY OF ACTION - March 4
LEGISLATOR LETTER CAMPAIGN - March 5 to April 30
HOLD A PASS-IT-ON E-MAIL BLAST CAMPAIGN - Now to April 30
  • Send a message to your e-mail lists of people you know in California and ask them to forward to their California friends.
  • Sample e-mail
PLAN LOCAL RALLIES OR OTHER PRESS EVENTS - March 15 to April 19
  • Hold a local rally at a school site; invite press, legislators, speakers, high school band
  • How to organize a rally
MEET WITH LEGISLATORS - March - until budget is signed 
STATE PTA RALLY AT THE PTA CONVENTION IN SACRAMENTO - April 29 to May 2 
  • Attend the California State PTA convention in Sacramento
  • Register for convention
  • Rally at the Capitol on April 29
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidates Forum on April 30
          
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO SPEAK UP FOR CHILDREN - Ongoing
  • Send your photos and stories of your advocacy activities to:

Speak up for children.  

(How many more reasons do you need?)

 Find out more about how to join or support the California State PTA at http://www.capta.org/sections/membership/join-support.cfm.  Please visit the California State PTA website at http://www.capta.org for more information.