From the Arizona Republic... I'm just wondering how much more I have to suffer as a working mother.
More than 1,500 teachers, students, parents and other supporters of public education gathered Sunday outside the State Capitol to protest the proposed budget cuts.
Many wore red to represent the carnage that the cuts - $103 million this year, and $892 million next year from K-12- would produce, as well as to support the Super Bowl-bound Cardinals. Young and old, many carrying signs or wearing neon stickers of support, they stood on the Capitol Mall shouting, "Our voice will be heard! Our voice will be heard!"
Alicia Dominguez, 13, of Queen Creek, stood under the shade of a tree with her parents and sister. She said the proposed cuts to schools will hurt students.
"Our school doesn't get a lot of money now and there's nothing we can do about it," said Alicia. "I don't think the new governor should cut money to our schools."
The legislative proposal released Jan. 16 by House Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, outlined more than 500 options to help close a $1.6 billion deficit this year, as well as a projected $3 billion shortfall in 2009-10.
The proposal included the elimination of all-day kindergarten, which would save $218.3 million next year. An additional $218 million could be saved in the upcoming fiscal year if lawmakers suspend money sent to the schools for items such as furniture, textbooks and new school buses. The proposal also would phase out state money to help schools pay bonuses to qualified teachers.
Many wore red to represent the carnage that the cuts - $103 million this year, and $892 million next year from K-12- would produce, as well as to support the Super Bowl-bound Cardinals. Young and old, many carrying signs or wearing neon stickers of support, they stood on the Capitol Mall shouting, "Our voice will be heard! Our voice will be heard!"
Alicia Dominguez, 13, of Queen Creek, stood under the shade of a tree with her parents and sister. She said the proposed cuts to schools will hurt students.
"Our school doesn't get a lot of money now and there's nothing we can do about it," said Alicia. "I don't think the new governor should cut money to our schools."
The legislative proposal released Jan. 16 by House Appropriations Chairman John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, outlined more than 500 options to help close a $1.6 billion deficit this year, as well as a projected $3 billion shortfall in 2009-10.
The proposal included the elimination of all-day kindergarten, which would save $218.3 million next year. An additional $218 million could be saved in the upcoming fiscal year if lawmakers suspend money sent to the schools for items such as furniture, textbooks and new school buses. The proposal also would phase out state money to help schools pay bonuses to qualified teachers.
Florence Unified School District Superintendent Gary Nine, a leader of the protest, thanked the crowd for giving up their Sunday afternoon for their children, their students.
"Slashing education is something that history has already proved is a mistake," said Nine. "I've never carried a sign. I've never protested. But we are wide awake and we are a force to reckon with."
"Slashing education is something that history has already proved is a mistake," said Nine. "I've never carried a sign. I've never protested. But we are wide awake and we are a force to reckon with."
"Protests like this can make the difference," said Rios. "This speaks to the fact that people are concerned and are not going to sit still. They need to write or call their specific legislators and the governor and ask them how they're going to vote."
This picture says it best.... 49th and dropping. How depressing. I might find the resources to pay for a move to a state like Texas or Virginia who ranks highest on the polls. However, now I have to come up with the money for an after school program that begins at NOON!
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