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The last big push continues!
Keep the Dream Alive!
Just a few weeks to go in the 2001 Legislature -- IT'S TIME!
...to fight back!
...to hold the legislature accountable!
...to put public education & public services first!
Dear MEA-MFT members: If you've read this article before, please read it again. It has crucial new information. Please read it through and then contact your legislatures right away! Contact information at end of article.
We're all in this legislature together: K-12 schools, higher education, and public employees. Throughout the session, we've presented the legislature with a united front. We'll continue to do so.
MEA-MFT members have done a spectacular job of writing, faxing, e-mailing, and calling legislators. Please keep it up for one final push!
This is our last chance to gain adequate funding for Montana's top-quality public schools, public colleges, and public services in the 2001 Legislature. We can make a difference - if all 16,000 of us contact our legislators NOW!
Please read on!
Some legislators are spreading misinformation:
Our opponents in the legislature have a strong, unified message. They're telling people:
* K-12 public schools have plenty of money.
* Tuition isn't too high at our public universities.
* There isn't enough money in the state budget to fund public education and public services.
But they don't have the truth OR the troops on their side. We do!
We know THE TRUTH:
* Inadequate state funding is forcing K-12 school closures, killing vital school programs, and keeping our teacher salaries 47th in the nation.
* Inadequate state funding has caused college tuitions to double for Montana resident students. It has caused faculty layoffs, program cuts, and overcrowded college classrooms.
* Montana state employees are overworked and underpaid. They make 20% less than the state average.
* The money IS available!! See Money Found.
Here's what our opponents have proposed so far:
* Investing $10 million LESS in K-12 public schools in the next biennium!(Governor's budget proposal)
* $25 million in unfunded obligations for higher education will cause
another 20% tuition increase!
* A $5 million cut in the state pay plan, more vacancy savings, and
elimination of 350 state jobs!
Here's what Montana's public education and public services need just to stay afloat!
* K-12 schools need $67 million more in state funding to keep schools open and vital programs alive!
* Higher education needs $500 more in state funding per resident student so Montanans can afford to attend our colleges and universities!
* State employees bargained the state pay plan in good faith with the State of Montana. The legislature must honor the pay plan without cutting state jobs!
URGENT! Call or e-mail your representative & senator TODAY!
Here's our strong, unified message - we need to tell legislators:
* "Keep the dream alive!"
* "Montana's economy and our children's future depend on strong public
schools, public colleges, and public services!"
* The money IS there to adequately fund public schools, colleges, and services!
PHONE: Call 406-444-4800 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can leave messages for up to 3 legislators at a time.
E-MAIL: Go to the state's web site to e-mail your "keep the dream alive" message to legislators.
MEA-MFT radio & TV ads are still on the air!
Our new statewide radio and TV ads, now reaching Montanans from Ekalaka to Yaak, feature voices from our March 3 rally and carry this message: "Call your legislators. Tell them our children's future depends on strong public schools, public colleges, and public services. Keep the Dream Alive!"
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