Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/27719
UPDATE UPDATE Grading the California Legislature Ever wondered how your state senator or Assembly member is voting on bills of impor- tance to educators and students? You can fi nd out at cta.org with a new feature that grades the Legislature in real time, “Making the Grade: A Progress Report on Legislative Action.” The new page, www.cta.org/legislators- graded, tracks legislators’ votes on every measure upon which CTA’s State Council of Education has adopted a position. The page not only reports all legislators’ votes on this position legislation, but also calculates a vot- ing percentage that tells readers immediately how often the lawmaker is voting with or against CTA on these key measures. Over the past 25 years, CTA has rated lawmakers on their votes on selected legisla- tion at the end of every two-year legislative session. However, this new tool, aided by a real-time computer program, includes legisla- tors’ votes on all CTA position legislation. The rating on the votes is available within hours of when they are cast. The new page is a valuable tool for CTA members. Like a student’s report card, it es- tablishes accountability and transparency for lawmakers, and it represents a quick and easy way for CTA members to evaluate how their local lawmakers are performing. It also means that when a CTA Legislative Contact Team visits a lawmaker, the team can provide the legislator and their staff with hard data about the legislator’s voting behavior relative to schools. “Making the Grade” will also serve as powerful tool for chapters to help educate their own members about the importance of getting in touch with their lawmakers on vital issues. And it will provide chapter members with feedback about how their contacts with their lawmakers have aff ected the fi nal vote on bills on important issues. It pays to be an NEA member. Specif ically, $20. As an NEA member, you’ll get $20 off your next weekly rental with Hertz when you mention PC# 107520. Be sure to include CDP# 50655 Fee-Waived Hertz #1 Club Gold® hertz.com/neamb or to make a reservation, call 1-800-654-2200. Hertz Local Edition,® hertz.com/neamb Advance reservations required. Modifying your reservation may result in a change in your rate and/or invalidate this offer. Subject to availability, this offer is redeemable ® Reg. U.S. Pat. Off. © 2011 Hertz System, Inc. at participating Hertz locations in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. This offer has no cash value, may not be used with Pre-Pay Rates, Tour Rates or Insurance rate restrictions for the renting location apply. Taxes, tax reimbursement, age differential charges, fees and optional service charges, such as refueling, are not HZ050311 6 California Educator | MARCH 2011