Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1463012
SPRING 2022 | ADVOCATE 5 AEA scored a huge victory at the Capitol this past February when the Arizona Legislature authorized the override of the aggregate school spending limit, preventing over $1 billion in budget cuts this year. Since the start of the legislation session in January, AEA organized thousands of teachers, school support staff, retired educators, parents, students, and community leaders to contact lawmakers through email, phone calls, Tweets, and postcards to urge them lift he school spending cap so our public schools can continue to provide a quality public education for students. With a March 1 deadline looming, AEA organized two days of action in February to put pressure on legislative leadership. On February 14, AEA offic s and dozens of AEA members, parents, educators, and retired educators gathered at the capitol to deliver valentines and cakes urging House Speaker Rusty Bowers and Senate President Karen Fann to lift the expenditure cap. Later that same day, legislation was introduced that would override the limit for this year. e Arizona House quickly passed the legislation, but progress stalled in the Senate. AEA organized another day of action at the capitol on Presidents' Day when more school employees could participate. Hundreds of AEA members came to the capitol on February 21 to urge senators to pass the override. AEA Vice President Marisol Garcia spoke about the work educators have done AT THE CAPITOL AEA Takes Action at the Capitol— AEA Takes Action at the Capitol— School Funding Crisis Averted School Funding Crisis Averted AEA Takes Action at the Capitol— School Funding Crisis Averted over the years outside the classroom to stand up for their students. "Every time we've taken something to the ballot we've won. So today we are here to remind legislators that public schools are for all of us. ey need to be taken care of and nurtured." Educators, like Josh Atkins, gave up their day off o lobby their state senators because they understand the importance of this issue and wanted to make sure their voices were heard by their elected offi als. "Lawmakers paint a picture that parents