Greetings,

Dear Members,

Please see the email below from EM President Tom Dooher regarding the proposed cuts to education.  It is important for us to contact our legislators as soon as we can to respectfully let them know the cuts will be too damaging to students.   While we understand the severity of the financial problems facing our state, we also know that children do not get a second chance at a good education.  Education must be a top priority.

Thanks.

Lynn Nordgren
MFT, Local 59

March 12, 2009

Senate DFL proposes unacceptable cuts to education
Senate DFL leaders today proposed cutting funding for early childhood through 12th grade education by 7 percent over the next two years. Higher education would sustain a reduction of almost $200 million in the coming biennium.

This unacceptable proposal makes it even more crucial that members contact their legislators http://capwiz.com/nea/mn/home/  to tell them across-the-board cuts are unacceptable and to make education funding a top priority this session.

I attended the DFL news conference today, and here is the statement I gave to the media:

The proposed cuts are not in the best interest of Minnesota's school children. If enacted, they would seriously harm the quality of education the state takes pride in providing its students. Parents need to know that under this proposal, their kids will get less individual attention and fewer opportunities for learning. The cuts to higher education could also lead to yet more tuition increases at the MnSCU schools and the University of Minnesota.

Minnesotans believe we need to make education funding a top priority of the state, and this proposal does not reflect the priorities that many Minnesotans share. Making 7 percent across-the-board cuts is not setting priorities.

Just because we're in a serious economic downturn, doesn't mean the needs of our students disappear. The way to get out of difficult economic times is to have a highly-educated work force. Now more than ever is the time to invest in our children's education and our state's future.

We understand that the legislators and the governor are posturing for final budget negotiations in May. But our position will always to be to advocate for strong funding for education. We won't allow education or our students to be used as pawns in political games.

In Solidarity,

Tom Dooher
President