Thursday, April 26, 2018

ACTION: STAND UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION** 
Thursday, April 26, 2018
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STAND UP FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
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#RedForEd
#TrumpTaxScam
#Resist
K-12 education is among the national treasures threatened by fallout from Trump’s tax bill. Democrats negotiated a $2.7 billion increase in FY 2018 spending, but it took five continuing resolutions and a brief shutdown first. And funding is STILL less than 2008 levels.
Trump will seek deep cuts again in FY 2019. We must urge our MoCs to keep fighting for public schools. 
Kansas experimented with radical tax cuts like those passed by Congress. They nearly wrecked the public school system.
Kansas has company:
--- Funding is below 2008 levels in more than half of states, including Oregon.
-- Teachers earn less than other workers with comparable experience and education — especially in states that have seen walkouts.
-- Schools employ 135,000 fewer workers, even though students have increased by 1.4 million. 
Meanwhile, the nation’s six big Wall Street banks were bestowed at least $3.59 billion in taxes in the first quarter of 2018.
We can’t afford to enrich the already-rich but make our teachers and children get by with less. Tell our MoCs to keep fighting for robust public schools in FY 2019, and to be ready to pass a fair tax plan if Congress changes hands after the midterms.
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**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH OUR SENATORS AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE **
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.) 
SAMPLE SCRIPT: Everyone but Walden:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I want {Member] to keep championing public school education in the FY 2019 budget process. Oregon still hasn’t caught up to funding levels before the Great Recession in 2008, and federal funding is important, especially for schools serving low-income students. I believe in our country’s commitment to educating all students, and I want [Member] to keep working for a robust public school system. Thank you.” 
SAMPLE SCRIPT: WALDEN
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling because I want Rep. Walden to support an increase in public school education in the FY 2019 budget process. Oregon still hasn’t caught up to funding levels before the Great Recession in 2008. Our district needs federal funding especially for schools serving low-income students. I will only support a candidate that believes in strong public education. Thank you.” 
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**REMEMBER FOR THE MID-TERMS**
It has become clear that we need a different Congress to protect our public schools and support our teachers. Make sure
--you and everyone you know is registered to vote. 
--to check out Indivisible Oregon’s website (www.indivisibleor.org) for midterm actions
--every candidate for Congress is answering questions about how they will work to make sure public schools are fully funded. 
The 2018 elections will be the most important of our lives. Our children’s future depends on it. 
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**PHONE NUMBERS** 
SENATOR MERKLEY 
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129 
SENATOR WYDEN 
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691 
CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1] 
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010 
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2] 
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646, 
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400 
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3] 
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300 
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4] 
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732, 
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609 
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5] 
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100, 
Oregon City (503) 557-1324