A Call for Action In support of Texas Educators and Students

The news in Texas education is dire. The Texas legislature is working on a budget right now that could cost thousands of Texas educators their jobs and could have a negative impact on our children’s education. If you are a Texas educator, your job may be at risk.

If the current budget in the Texas legislature is approved as is, here are some things that could happen:

—-School budgets could be cut by anywhere from 10 to 20%. The largest expenditure in any district budget is personnel. How many teachers and support staff would be lost in your school if 10-, 15-, or 20% of them were laid off?

—-Not all school districts are talking openly about the budget projections, but Austin ISD projects over 1000 job cuts; Dallas area school districts project over 3000 job cuts; Round Rock ISD projects hundreds of job cuts; just to name a few.

—-Speaking locally, G-PISD has won awards for efficiency. Our district is a great place to work and to learn, but in a lean machine all cuts can bleed.

—-TEA has begun their layoff process.

Here’s what else you need to know:

—-Wrangling between Governor Rick Perry and the Federal Government is preventing Texas from receiving almost $900 million in education money. The federal government requires the states to ensure that this money be earmarked for education. Governor Perry won’t make that promise, so Texas schools can’t touch a dime.

—-The state budget plan is in the hands of the Texas House and Senate up in Austin. The votes of the Republican majority in both houses will determine the budgets that districts will have to live with for the next two years.

—-Texas has a backup plan. Called the Budget Stabilization Plan, but more frequently known as the Rainy Day Fund, this fund was established in the late eighties, and is replenished each year with revenues from the oil and gas industry. The purpose of the fund is to “prevent or eliminate a temporary cash deficiency in general revenue.” Here’s a short article about the importance of the Rainy Day Fund in the current debate: http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/rainy-day-fund/texplainer-what-is-texass-rainy-day-fund-for/

If you work in Texas education, your job might be in danger. If you voted for a legislator who is now supporting cuts that could cost you or your coworkers or your children’s teachers their jobs, those legislators need to hear from you. They need to hear from all of us.

Please take a little time to let our legislators know how you feel about Texas Education. I’ve included contacts below, with particular relevance to residents of the Texas Coastal Bend. You can also use the Who Represents Me tool: http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/ and the contact info at the Governor’s Office: http://governor.state.tx.us/contact/

Remember, your STATE legislators are key in the budget battle. Personal notes and direct phone calls are more effective than a form email, but every little bit helps. The calls you make and the letters you write could save jobs and prevent the deterioration of our children’s education.

Thank you.

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All of my information comes from one the following sources:

The news feed at http://www.texasisd.com/ 

The news feed at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/

And other professional, local, state, and national news outlets.

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If you live in the Texas Coastal Bend, some of these contacts are for you. 

Gov. Rick Perry

Office of the Governor

P.O. Box 12428

Austin, Texas 78711-2428

Citizen’s Opinion Hotline: (800) 252-9600

Office of the Governor Main Switchboard: (512) 463-2000

Email link to form: http://governor.state.tx.us/contact/

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst

Capitol Station

P.O. Box 12068

Austin, Texas 78711

Ph# 512 463-0001

Email link to form: http://www.ltgov.state.tx.us/contact.php

Joe Straus – Speaker of the House

Capitol Address:

Room CAP 2W.13, Capitol

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

Ph# (512) 463-3000 OR 512-463-1000 

Susan Combs – Texas State Comptroller 

Mailing Address:

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Post Office Box 13528, Capitol Station

Austin, Texas 78711-3528

Ph# (512) 463-4444 

Email: susan.combs@cpa.state.tx.us

The Honorable Florence Shapiro – Senate Education Committee Chair

Capitol Address:

P.O. Box 12068

Capitol Station

Austin, Texas 78711

Ph# (512) 463-0108

Email link to form: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist8/

dist8.htm#Form

The Honorable Judith Zaffirini – District 21

Capitol Address:

P.O. Box 12068

Capitol Station

Austin, Texas 78711

Ph# 512-463-0121

Email link to form: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist21/

Dist21.htm#form

Rep. Hunter, Todd - District 3

Capitol Address:

Room E2.808, Capitol Extension

PO Box 2910

Austin, TX 78701

Ph# (512) 463-0672

Email: todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us

Email link to form:

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=32&session=82

District Address:

15217 SPID, Ste 205

Corpus Christi, TX 78418

361-949-4603 (w)

361-949-4634 (f)

Rep. Aliseda, Jose - District 35

Capitol Address:

Room EXT E2.812, Capitol Extension

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

(512) 463-0645

(512) 463-0559 FAX

Email link to form:

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=35&session=82

Rep. Scott, Connie - District 34

Capitol Address:

Room E2.302, Capitol Extension

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

(512) 463-0462

(512) 463-1705 Fax

Email link to form:

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=34&session=82

District Address:

701 East Houston St.

Beeville, TX 78101

361-358-9400 (w)

Rep. Guillen, Ryan – District 31

Capitol Address:

Room EXT E1.320, Capitol Extension

P.O. Box 2910

Austin, TX 78768

(512) 463-0416

(512) 463-1012 Fax

District Address:

100 N. FM 3167, Ste 212

Rio Grande City, TX 78582

956-716-4838 (w)

Email link to form:

http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/member-page/email/?district=31&session=82