REMEMBER THE TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS (TABOR)?  IT'S LOOMING IN DC! 
TELL CONGRESS NO!

As we reported last week, some in Congress are pushing "global spending caps" that would severely limit federal spending for decades.  The impact would be devastating for children, the elderly, and working families.  This week, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on "Budget Enforcement Mechanisms" in which such spending caps were touted.  Read NEA's letter to the Committee opposing the caps. 

The proposed caps are reminiscent of state-level fights a decade ago over the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), under which state-wide referenda established state-wide budget ceilings.  In Colorado, TABOR resulted in a drop in per pupil K-12 education funding from $200 less than the national average in 1992 to $1000 less than the national average in 2006. 

Today, this pattern threatens to repeat at the federal level.  The caps under consideration would force the largest cuts in federal spending in modern history - for education, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other critical programs.  Future Congresses would be unable to provide needed funding in case of emerging needs or changing priorities. 

Take Action Today:  Tell Congress that slashing programs that serve children, elderly, and working families is not the answer to our nation's fiscal problems.  Urge them to oppose global spending caps.

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PUBLIC PENSIONS UNDER ATTACK

Public employee pensions are under attack at the federal and state level.  This week, the House Ways and Means Committee's Oversight Subcommittee held a hearing on "the Transparency and Funding of State and Local Pension Plans," at which Members of Congress discussed legislation that would change reporting requirements for state and local government employee pension plans.  The NEA-opposed Public Employees Pension Transparency Act (H.R.567) would create a distorted picture of plan funding, creating confusion among decision-makers and potentially leading states to abandon public pension plans.  Read NEA's full statement submitted for the hearing record and NEA's letter to the subcommittee. 

All working Americans - public and private sector employees alike - deserve a secure retirement.  Without adequate retirement income, older Americans will lack the resources that allow them to live independently, afford health care, and contribute to the economy.  Public pension plans are not in crisis and are not to blame for the nation's financial crisis.  They should not be the scapegoat. 

Take Action Today:  Tell Congress to protect public employee pension plans.

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BILLS INTRODUCED TO HONOR EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) have introduced the National Classified School Employee of the Year Award Act (S. 547/H.R. 1704)  This important legislation would provide long overdue recognition for education support professionals - including paraeducators, clerical assistants, school bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, technicians, custodians, school nurses, and security professionals -- for their outstanding contributions to our nation's schools and the students they serve.  As an integral part of the public education system, classified school employees promote student achievement, ensure student safety, and contribute to the establishment and promotion of a positive instructional environment.

Take Action Today:  Tell Congress to support the National Classified School Employee of the Year Award Act.

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STAND STRONG FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION - SIGN NEA'S NEW PETITION

In the face of escalating attacks on public education, now is the time to stand strong.  As you read this, anti-worker politicians and the corporate interests that back them are doing everything they can to undermine educators' rights.  In response, we have to make it clear that we are standing strong for our students, our schools, and our future.

Standing strong for public education means:

• Fighting to defeat Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's drive to undermine collective bargaining, weaken support for working families, and strengthen the grip of powerful corporate interests.
• Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with educators and public schools under attack in Ohio, Florida, Idaho, and across the country.
• Pressing to ensure reform of No Child Left Behind includes the voices of educators.
• And it means electing pro-public education candidates at the local, state and national level in 2012 is absolutely essential to our future.

Make it clear to those waging this assault on public education that we're ready to fight for our future and we won't back down.  Join with teachers and school support personnel all across the nation in standing strong for our public schools.  Sign the "I'm Standing Strong for Public Education" Petition right now.  When you sign the petition, you will get a special "Standing Strong" Facebook badge.

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CHEERS AND JEERS

Cheers to:

	Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who tweeted this week "Public teachers made a difference in my life & they deserve our support.  Thank you to NJ teachers for all the wonderful things you do!"
	Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), who spoke on the House floor about the great benefits of and need for school-based health centers.  Funding for such centers is targeted for elimination under a House leadership bill.
	Representative Ron Kind (D-WI), who eloquently and strongly defended public employees and public pension plans against attacks at the House Ways and Means Committee, Oversight Subcommittee, hearing on pensions.
	The White House, for supporting National Teacher Day on Twitter by tweeting it to 2.1 million followers.
	The United States Senate, which passed a resolution recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week - introduced by Senators Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Murkowski (R-AK).

Jeers to:

Members of the House of Representatives who voted this week to repeal funding for school-based health centers.  More than 1,900 school-based health centers across the country provide access for nearly two million students to a range of primary, mental, and oral health care services.  They offer timely treatment to students who lack insurance and/or whose parents are unable to take time off from work to take the child to a doctor.  Families with access to regular medical care are more likely to keep the entire family healthy and create a better learning environment within the home.  See how your Representative voted.