Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/29842
STATE OF TAKE ACTION EMERGENCY be participating in the rallies and events, including members of the state- wide Education Coalition, nurses, fire- fighters, other labor unions, and faith and community groups. These “escalating” activities are likely to include calls and visits to targeted leg- islators in critical areas; walking neigh- borhoods; educating members and the community about tax fairness; and at- tending the rallies at the end of the week. “You may not be able to do every- thing, but we certainly encourage you to do what you can,” Sanchez says. Although the governor is still hoping to place the tax extensions before the voters, CTA fears such an election will come too late, and is now asking the Legislature to pass the extensions with- out affirmation by the voters — some- thing certainly within the lawmakers’ powers and duties. “Just because there isn’t going to be a June election, doesn’t mean lawmak- ers are off the hook. They still have a state budget to pass and a responsibili- ty to do the job they were elected to do,” Sanchez says. “They have a responsibility to our kids, to our public schools and to the future of our state. They have cut $12 billion from the budget, and now it’s time to finish the job,” he says. “Forget the election. Lawmakers need to do what’s right and pass the tax ex- tensions, period.” CTA’s State Council develops plan CTA’s State Council devoted much of its April meeting to developing a plan of action. Committees spent part of their meetings brainstorming possible events for the week in May. What resulted were lots of ideas which will be available to organizers of the activities. Council adopted the acronym L.E.A.R.N. Attend a Regional Rally • San Francisco Civic Centre Plaza • Sacramento • Fresno State Capitol Mariposa Square • Los Angeles Pershing Square • San Bernardino National Orange Show • San Diego 10 California Educator | APRIL 2011 Embarcadero Marina Park North as a way of organizing activities for the week. On Monday, May 9, the focus will be on LEGISLATIVE activities; on Tuesday, May 10, members will be asked to reach out to EVERY PARENT; Wednesday, May 11, is Cali- fornia Day of the Teacher, a time to APPRECI- ATE educators and ALLIES; Thursday, May 12, will be the day to promote the need for REVE- NUE for schools, and to educate our members and the community about tax fairness. Finally, Friday, May 13, will be the day of NOT BUSI- NESS AS USUAL, when educators will gather for rallies in Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Fresno, Inland Empire, and San Diego. In addition to local L.E.A.R.N. ac- tivities throughout the state, CTA retired and student members are meeting to develop com- plementary plans of action. Higher education takes a hit K-12 schools aren’t the only area of educa- tion that will be affected by the budget cuts. Community colleges and universities are slat- ed to be cut by $1.4 billion — community col- leges by $400 million, and the UC and CSU systems by $500 million each. CALL 1-888-268-4334 E-MAIL YOUR LEGISLATOR