Barbara E. Kerr CTA President

Some people - the governor's supporters and CTA critics - say I sound like a broken record because I'm still talking about Gov. Schwarzenegger's broken promises to teachers, students and schools. And I'm still saying that he and the Legislature need to repay the money that was borrowed from public education. Well, as teachers, we know that repetition is a powerful learning tool. Often, repeating the same thing over and over again is the only way to get people to learn, or in this case to hear our message.

 

The governor will soon propose his May Revision budget. At that time, the budget gurus will revise their revenue projections and serious negotiations will begin toward adopting a final 2006-07 budget. The governor and the Legislature still owe our students and schools $3.2 billion. It's important that we as educators do not let our local lawmakers forget that promise and that commitment.

 

It's important first and foremost because our students and schools need and deserve that money. But it's also important that we continue to protect the integrity of Proposition 98. California voters overwhelmingly voted last year to support the minimum school funding protections of Prop. 98. This money is owed to public education under the provisions of that law. Lawmakers must stop trying to get around those requirements and give our schools the resources they deserve.

 

We'll also be watching a few other items during the May Revise. Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed using some education money to fund his after-school programs. While CTA supported Prop. 49 and certainly believes in the benefit of after-school programs, this money is not supposed to impact Proposition 98. At a time when our classrooms desperately need more resources, we believe our classrooms and schools should be repaid first, before new programs are started. The governor's current proposal also includes a provision that would allow him to make unilateral, midyear budget cuts - another idea soundly rejected by voters last year.

 

So, just as we did last November, we must make our voices heard. We must reach out to parents, school board members, education support professionals and administrators to ensure that as the budget discussions intensify, the promises to our schools are kept. The entire Education Coalition remains united in this budget fight. I ask you to work with your local coalitions to hold events in your local communities and remind people it's time to fix the broken promises.

 

And while we are making our voices heard, there are two other pieces of legislation that need our attention.

 

CTA is now a co-sponsor of the California Health Insurance Reliability Act, SB 840 by Sen. Sheila Kuehl. This bill would provide affordable health insurance coverage to all Californians, give everyone the right to choose their physician, and control health care costs. As local chapters continue to struggle at bargaining tables over health care benefits, it's time to recognize we cannot solve this problem alone. We need a single-payer health care system that provides affordable care to everyone. Write or call your local legislators and urge them to support SB 840.

 

We also need to speak out in support of two congressional bills that would eliminate the penalties teachers suffer under Social Security. The Government Pension Offset reduces spousal and survivor benefits to public employees by two-thirds. The Windfall Elimination Provision reduces the earned Social Security benefits of a public employee who also receives a public pension. CTA and NEA are supporting the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 147 and S. 619) which would eliminate both of these provisions. During spring break, April 10-21, as part of a national mobilization, we are asking all members to visit their congressional representatives at their home offices, call their representatives and write a letter to their local newspaper. More information about these proposals and the national mobilization is available on the CTA and NEA websites.

 

We know the voices of educators carry great importance. And we know that when we all speak together, our voice is even stronger. Stand up. Speak loud. Our students are counting on us!