Sacramento – Today the Education Coalition released a statewide radio ad campaign to urge the Governor and lawmakers to invest in education and to find common-sense budget solutions that increase revenues. Transcripts of the ads are below, and audio versions can be found on the CTA website and on the Education Coalition website at www.protectourstudents.org.
“The Education Coalition wants our elected leaders to know that the time has come to put aside partisan politics and to invest in our children’s future,” said David A. Sanchez, President of the California Teachers Association. “Delaying and cutting school funding through the state budget process only hurts our students.”
“Our state leaders need to put our students’ education at the top of their agenda, and pass a responsible budget that rejects cuts to schools,” said Pam Brady, President of the California State PTA. “We need to give students the tools and resources they need to succeed. The time to act is now.”
“Schools are already suffering from the impact of cuts and delayed funding,” said Paul H. Chatman, President of the California School Boards Association. “It’s time to move forward and invest in our kids. California business leaders say the best way to improve our economy is to make sure we have a well-educated work force – let’s work together to achieve that goal.”
“The final budget agreement must include increased revenues as part of any approach to balancing the budget,” said Marty Hittelman, President of the California Federation of Teachers. “Refusing to support solutions to raise revenues for schools shortchanges our students and California’s future. It’s time for real leadership from our lawmakers.”
CA Education Coalition
"Not an Expert"
:60 Radio; AS RECORDED
Mother: I'm Lenore...mother of two kids in public schools…and I'm no budget expert, but as California deals with this 15 billion dollar budget mess, I know teacher lay-offs, larger class sizes, and cuts to music and art will only hurt our kids.
We all know standing up for education is really an investment in our children’s future…that’s why business leaders say a well-educated workforce must be a priority – especially in today’s economy
So more cuts to education are not the solution.
I know it’s not easy to solve these problems…but our lawmakers need to put partisan politics aside and come together with a real budget solution that protects the progress our students are making in classrooms today -- and gives them the tools they need to succeed tomorrow.
Narrator: So please join parents like Lenore, Teachers and other educators in supporting a common sense budget solution that increases revenues so we can protect our schools and solve this budget crisis before school starts.
CA Education Coalition
"Ride"
:60 Radio; AS RECORDED
Car Radio (news report): California is still facing a 15-billion-dollar budget crisis with local schools facing cuts of four-point-three-billion-dollars…(fades)
And today in sports…
Child: Mom is that true? Funding for schools is in trouble?
Mom: Your fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Thomason, already got a lay-off notice – along with twenty-thousand other educators across the state.
Child: Mrs. Thomason?
Mom: Yep, school cuts mean more kids crammed into your classroom and no art or music programs.
Child: But doesn’t everyone support public schools?
Mom: Politicians say they do…but it’s time for them to work together and find a real budget solution that increases revenues to protect schools like yours.
Child: Well, what are they waiting for?
Mom: I don’t know, honey…it seems like now’s the time for them to put partisanship aside and make education a real priority again.
Child: What can we do?
Mom: Tell the lawmakers in Sacramento that more education budget cuts will only hurt our kids, so come together and find a common sense solution to protect education, schools…
Child: …and my future.
Female VO: Paid for by the Education Coalition.