STYLE I
February 28, 2008
Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
I am writing out of great concern
over the proposed budget cuts to public schools that are part of the Governor’s
budget for 2008-09.
Everyone seems to agree that more money alone won’t help California schools
improve the kind of achievement we need to see for all of our kids. However,
cutting schools will almost certainly hurt those efforts. Many from all political
perspectives thought that 2008 could be a year when important reforms and improvements
could be pursued by leveraging the potential for increased per pupil investment.
The prospects for building on school improvement and reform are delayed exponentially
with every dollar of cuts to public schools. The promise of restoring budget
cuts is not the same as the pursuit of increased commitments to added school
funding and the degree to which we can leverage those opportunities is night
and day. A decision to cut school funding is indeed equal to a delay in the
implementation of meaningful, comprehensive reform for California ’s schools.
There are a variety of issues that you must consider when voting on a final
budget plan and it certainly comes with tremendous difficulty in bad times.
However, I hope I have been able to raise some issues that you will consider
when it is time for you to cast a vote on protecting Proposition 98 and basic
school funding.
Sincerely,
(download Letter Style I as a Word document)
STYLE II
February 28, 2008
Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
It is my understanding that the Governor’s budget proposes very deep funding cuts to public schools across California as part of the upcoming budget.
Republicans understand the phrase,
“you get what you pay for,” or “you only get out of something
what you’re willing to invest in it.” When virtually all of the
research from the nearly two-dozen Stanford led studies last year concluded
that California ’s public schools are dramatically underfunded, it is
hard to argue for education cuts. The burden state leaders are creating for
themselves to close the investment and achievement gap becomes much more ominous
if we are cutting today. To hold school funding level for a year would probably
be the wrong thing to do, but actually cutting schools only cripples our ability
to make the important investments that must be made if we are to ever have schools
that give our kids a competitive edge in the world.
I realize that you must participate in a process that results in a budget for
all Californians and there are many pressures to protect a multitude of programs.
I hope that you will take to heart my observation of the unique and high priority
education has with the public. Thanks for considering my perspective on this
as you vote on a budget plan for next year.
Sincerely,
(download Letter Style II as a Word document)
STYLE III
February 28, 2008
Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
I am writing out of great concern
over the proposed budget cuts to public schools that are part of the Governor’s
budget for 2008-09.
Everyone seems to agree that more money alone won’t help California schools
improve the kind of achievement we need to see for all of our kids. However,
cutting schools will almost certainly hurt those efforts. Many from all political
perspectives thought that 2008 could be a year when important reforms and improvements
could be pursued by leveraging the potential for increased per pupil investment.
The prospects for building on school improvement and reform are delayed exponentially
with every dollar of cuts to public schools. The promise of restoring budget
cuts is not the same as the pursuit of increased commitments to added school
funding and the degree to which we can leverage those opportunities is night
and day. A decision to cut school funding is indeed equal to a delay in the
implementation of meaningful, comprehensive reform for California ’s schools.
There are a variety of issues that you must consider when voting on a final
budget plan and it certainly comes with tremendous difficulty in bad times.
However, I hope I have been able to raise some issues that you will consider
when it is time for you to cast a vote on protecting Proposition 98 and basic
school funding.
Sincerely,
(download Letter Style III as a Word document)
STYLE IV
February 28, 2008
Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
The looming budget cuts to schools as a result of proposals by the Governor have motivated me to write to you about my concerns.
Some have suggested that those of
us to advocate against school cuts should come up with the alternatives for
solving the budget crisis. While I could point to a number of tax loopholes,
credits and deductions the Legislative Analyst has suggested along with the
reversal of major decisions that have cost the state billions over the past
several years, the real answer is in advocating for a budget that does indeed
reflect priorities. Simply crafting a budget that reflects the priorities of
Californians rather than an across-the-board approach would result in substantially
fewer or no cuts to schools.
I appreciate your consideration of my views on the budget and urge you to take
every step necessary to protect basic investments, modest as they are, in California
public schools.
Sincerely
(download Letter Style IV as a Word document)