SAA Members:

Now is the time for action on the budget!

Please find attached a copy of a letter I am sending to state legislators detailing the SAA’s position on the budget. To reinforce this message, it is extremely important that you contact the members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) and your own legislators in support of the SAA position.

In your communication, please highlight the following:

Support for the SAA position on two-thirds funding, revenue limits, categorical aid increases, revenue cap relief for low-spending and declining enrollment districts, QEO, etc. The cumulative impact that 11 years of belt-tightening under state imposed revenue caps has had on your district’s educational programming. It is very important that you tell your district’s story.

SAA members had a major influence on the 2003-05 State Budget Bill. Now, we are asking you to exercise that influence on the 2005-07 biennial budget.

As you know, the JFC will hold five public hearings on the budget in the next two weeks. It is our belief that the JFC will begin acting on the budget in executive session as early as mid-April. We also think it is very possible that the budget plan that comes out of Joint Finance will be changed very little by the two houses before it reaches the Governor’s desk. Therefore, it is vital that you act soon.

Please send a letter using the information discussed above to the members of the Joint Finance Committee as soon as possible. You can email the JFC members easily using the SAA Legislative Action Center on our website go to the Key Committees section. For your convenience, I have also provided links to the Senate Directory, the Assembly Directory and Who Are My Legislators. I also encourage you to copy your letter to your legislators and to the SAA.

Please note: If you send your letter via email, be sure to include your complete contact information.

You are the strength of the SAA. Getting your voices heard is the most effective way to influence state legislation. Please take the time to let legislators know that you are watching.

If you should have any comments or questions, please let me know. Thank you.