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KIDS AND PARENTS WRITE TO THE GOVERNOR!

Californians care about public schools.  That is why, in 1988, voters passed Proposition 98, which guarantees minimum funding for schools.

Last year, to alleviate California's fiscal quagmire, the Education Coalition cut a deal with Governor Schwarzenegger and the California legislature.  The Education Coalition agreed to a one-time reduction in Prop 98 revenues by $2 billion.  In his press release trumpeting this agreement, Gov. Schwarzenegger declared "Prop. 98 funding will be restored as required by law and our agreement. Today, I am making that promise to our teachers and students."

That was 2004. Now, one year later, he is breaking that promise by refusing to restore school funding to Prop 98 levels. Furthermore, the Governor proposes to shift the teacher's retirement costs from the state to the local districts, increasing the burden on already financial strapped schools.

Governor Schwarzenegger and the legislature are not only betraying the people that trusted them to keep their word, but the Governor is now proposing to gut Prop 98 with a constitutional amendment. Even with Proposition 98 in place, California ranks 43 out of the 50 states in per pupil spending.

On the campaign trail in 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger was asked whether he would be willing to delay Prop. 98 funds to balance the budget. He replied "Over my dead body."  That kind of talk got him into office. Now that he is governor, parents and children alike must remind him of his promises.

What You Can Do:
It is time to tell the Governor and our representatives in the state legislature to honor the mandate of Prop 98 and stop playing number games with our children. Please take a moment to write to Governor Schwarzenegger and tell him to honor Prop 98 as required by the constitution.

Parents! Send your letters to:
Caravan for Kids, Parent Letter, California State PTA, 530 - 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Kids! Have you ever written to the Governor? Do you have concerns about your school?  What do you like?  What do you not like?  Now is the time to make your voice heard!  You can make a difference by writing a letter to the Governor and sending those letters to: Caravan for Kids, Kid Letter, Peralta District PTA, 36009 Ashton Place, Fremont, CA 94536

Mail those letters no later than April 25! Then, on April 28, the media will be covering the big "Caravan for Kids" rally at the Capitol as kids take your letters to Governor Schwarzenegger. But to get this on the six o'clock news we need sacks full of letters!

Come on parents! Come on kids!  If we do nothing, the will of the people, as expressed by Prop 98, will be trampled. Let's keep class sizes reasonable! Let's keep basics such as books, pencils and paper! Let the Governor and our representatives know that they can not mess with kids. Write to the Governor NOW! Next month it may be too late.