New Mexico Federation of Educational Employees NEWS & Views, 1st half, 2002

GETTING OUR VOICE HEARD ON PRIVATIZATION     
NMFEE endorses candidates for Primary      Current E-News issue

May 6, 2002 E-News                                                     click here for prior issue click here for archived issues

Headlining the list of COPE recommendations are Bill Richardson for Governor, Diane Denish & Jerry Sandel for Lt. Gov., Gloria Tristani for Senate, Ruben Smith for Congress - District 2, and Sen. Richard Romero for Congress - District 1.  Go to # for other endorsements in state House races, and a flyer that you can download and print for copying and distribution.

Many House races will be decided in the June 4 primary because the primary winners have no general election opposition. Those races are noted on the flyer that you can view on the state fed's website.

Unfortunately, we are also hearing that the compromise budget cuts education funding. There is still time to tell your legislators that you will not accept any education cuts. Go to # and find the POLITICAL NEWS heading. Click on the "SPECIAL SESSION, COMPROMISE" link and follow directions to get in touch with your legislators. _______________________________________________________

The NMFEE website has a new link for the 2002 Primary and General Elections. Go to # and find the POLITICAL NEWS heading. Click on "Campaign Website". You will need your zip code to determine whether or not your state legislator has primary or general election opposition. e campaign website also features election information regarding voter registration deadlines, how to contact candidates, and their website addresses.

For more information about volunteering in your area, go to the Campaign Website link located at # Forward NMFEE E-News on to family, friends and colleagues.

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Apr. 8, 2002 E-News                                                     click here for prior issue click here for archived issues

GETTING OUR VOICE HEARD ON PRIVATIZATION
Below is a list of talking and emailing points for letters to editors and call-in radio shows. A list of email addresses was emailed to you earlier (see below), please use them to begin flooding the newspapers with emails and handwritten letters to editors.

Also call radio talk shows. Begin with 770 KKOB AM in ABQ. From 9 AM to 10 AM, it often has open phone lines to talk about any thing, the same goes for the afternoon show which begins around 3 pm to 6 pm. The phone numbers are: free Verizon call #770; land line - 243-3333.

Discussion points:

1. The root of the testing problem is the norm-referenced tests given to schoolchildren. These tests are old, outdated and flawed to say the least. They are designed to spread kids across a bell curve with 50% below a norm (mid-point) and 50% above. If more kids test above the norm, the test designers re-norm the test so there will always be 50% below the norm. We cannot win with norm-referenced tests. They need to be thrown out or supplemented with criterion-referenced tests--the newest test that is designed to tell educators what children really know and need to learn.

2. These 'probationary schools' are not failing schools! Everyone needs to stop saying they are failing. These schools are doing exceptionally well. In fact, they are taking monolingual Spanish speaking children and within 3-4 years are turning them into bilingual students who score in the high 30s. That's pretty good in our grade books. And, let's drive home the point that 85% of our schools are doing very good. 

3. If parents did not think their local schools were doing well, then there would be more requests for transfers under the 'new' Bush plan (Leave No Child Behind). The latest Phi Delta Kappan/Gallup poll, which has received absolutely no press coverage locally, demonstrates that parents think their local schools are doing a great job and continue to oppose privatization of public schools. What is actually happening is that a small number of critics are dominating the newspapers and airwaves with their negative attacks on public schools. We must counter that.

4. Educators are not running away from the 15% of the 'low performing schools'. We have tried to get the governor to sign bills that would provide intensive intervention programs for students in these schools, but, year after year, he vetoes the bills. We need expert teachers hired for these schools who will be paid a professional salary to get the job done. We can extend the school day and year now under current law (which Sens. Ramsey Gorham, Cynthia Nava and the ABQ Chamber tried to get repealed during the last session), but educators must be paid for the extra work. We don't need Edison to do it for us. Several years ago, APS and ABQ legislators, such as Rep. Stewart, introduced a bill to provide a summer pilot program for probationary schools, but Gov. Johnson opposed the bill and it was tabled in House Appropriations and Finance. 

5. The best approach to solving the problem of the 15% of 'low performing schools' was vetoed last year by the governor: House Bill 80 & 81, the Education Initiatives Reform Act. Every single Republican, and some Democrats, opposed and voted against the measures, but it passed the House and Senate anyway. The ABQ Chamber of Commerce, which must be singled out as an opponent of real education reform, encouraged the gov. to veto the bill. The Chamber opposed HB 80-81 because it did not provide them with "their" secretary of education.

6. There is no difference between the educators at RGHS and LCHS. When the Chamber, gov. and newspapers call RGHS and other South Valley schools 'failing schools' it drives a knife into the heart of all educators. Educators, and this includes education assistants, secretaries and clerks, plus every other school support employee regardless of where they work, pour their blood, sweat and tears into these schoolchildren, as well as spend their own money on them. They even bring in their own children's hand-me-down clothes to give to those schoolchildren who need them. These educators work before and after the duty day, during breaks and lunch to help these 'failing schoolchildren'. And for what? To be labeled 'failing' by organizations like the Chamber, which doesn't have a clue? And, then the newspapers give the Chamber front page coverage and repeat the term 'failure' ad nauseum? This must stop.

7. Look at the front page of the Journal's Business Outlook in today's (April 8) paper. There is a story about one intervention program, Baldridge, which many of educators don't like, but are, at this point, willing to try anything. The governor even vetoed that. So, he and the other politicians can't have it both ways. Either pass those measures that will help educators addresses these 'low performing schools' or shut-up and move out of the way of progress.

8. Now, some politicians and policymakers want to sell our schoolchildren in these 'low performing schools' to the lowest bidder, to Edison, Inc. And, make a profit from these kids. How disgusting is that? They should be ashamed. We must call them to account.

9. It's time to take a look at the testing companies that are making huge profits off these flawed norm-referenced tests. There are only 3 or 4 in the USA, and thanks to Bush's 'Leave No Child Behind', these corporations will make even more profits because every school district will have to use their tests and test even more. A few years ago, these corporations made big mistakes in scoring their own tests and more than 6,000 NYC students were thrown into summer schools.

NMFEE is sure that each of you can think of other things to write and say. All we ask is that you get started now. We need to take control of the debate. Today's editorial in the Journal is a first step.

There will be more to come. Stay tuned.

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Apr. 5, 2002, 12 noon                                                   click here for prior issue click here for archived issues

In this issue:
* Edison Poised to Bid on Schools
* Edison Evaluations
* Request for Action
* Message
* E-mail Links

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EDISON POISED TO BID ON SCHOOLS
Sliding down the slippery slope of privatizing New Mexico's public schools has begun in earnest.

On April 3, the ABQ Public Schools Board of Education agreed to put out to bid the management of APS "low performing schools" to private corporations.

Edison Corporation representatives and their locally-hired public relations specialists were
present at the APS meeting. Edison urged board members to move quickly.

On April 5, an ad hoc committee of the State Board of Education will meet to draft language for RFPs that will allow private corporations to bid on taking over "low performing schools" statewide.

Edison representatives have been invited to participate in the SBE meeting. NMFEE president
Christine Trujillo, a State Board of Education member, will also attend the meeting.

On Monday, April 8, Secretary of Education Rod Paige will be in ABQ at the Hispanic Cultural Center to push the Bush privatization agenda.

EDISON EVALUATIONS
NMFEE has contacted media representatives and provided them with copies of two extensive evaluations of Edison schools' performance record in other states.

The Federation is also scheduling editorial board meetings with local newspapers and reporters to
discuss Edison's record. It is drafting op-ed material for publication in newspapers.

The Federation urges its members to examine the reports, which are linked on the website -
# - under Edison's Record.

Note the executive summary and recommendations of both reports, as well as Western Michigan University's response to Edison's attack on the findings. Also, note the Education Week article on Edison's financial problems in the wake of the Enron disaster.

Keep in mind that you can download and/or print all or part of these documents for distribution in your local area.

REQUEST FOR ACTION
The Federation requests that members send letters to editors of their local newspapers concerning the issue of private corporate management of public schools and Edison's record.

MESSAGES
Letters should advocate for more public investment in "low performing schools" instead of turning them over to Edison.

For Example:
1. Higher pay will attract more qualified teachers and result in lower turnover;
2. Hiring of more teachers will result in lower pupil-teacher ratios;
3. State-of-the-art educational materials and equipment will improve student performance;
4. Newer, remodeled schools will contribute to better student performance; and,
5. Better testing methods, other than standardized tests scores, should be used to measure what students actually know.

The evaluations demonstrate that Edison Schools do not substantially perform better than public
schools.

In fact, the Edison schools:
1. Tend to hire novice teachers because they can be paid less than experienced teachers;
2. Pupil-teacher ratio is on average higher in Edison schools; and,
3. There is a higher than normal turnover of Edison school teachers and paraprofessionals.

It is very important that local newspapers, radio, TV and other media outlets receive massive amounts of communication NOW!

EMAIL LINKS
If you have additional email and snail mail addresses other than those linked and listed below that NMFEE could network statewide, then send them to the union via email ASAP at nmfee@nmfee.org

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In this issue:
* Edison Poised to Bid on Schools
* Edison Evaluations
* Request for Action
* Message
* E-mail Links

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EDISON POISED TO BID ON SCHOOLS
Sliding down the slippery slope of privatizing New Mexico's public schools has begun in earnest.

On April 3, the ABQ Public Schools Board of Education agreed to put out to bid the management of APS "low performing schools" to private corporations.

Edison Corporation representatives and their locally-hired public relations specialists were
present at the APS meeting. Edison urged board members to move quickly.

On April 5, an ad hoc committee of the State Board of Education will meet to draft language for RFPs that will allow private corporations to bid on taking over "low performing schools" statewide.

Edison representatives have been invited to participate in the SBE meeting. NMFEE president
Christine Trujillo, a State Board of Education member, will also attend the meeting.

On Monday, April 8, Secretary of Education Rod Paige will be in ABQ at the Hispanic Cultural Center to push the Bush privatization agenda.

EDISON EVALUATIONS
NMFEE has contacted media representatives and provided them with copies of two extensive evaluations of Edison schools' performance record in other states.

The Federation is also scheduling editorial board meetings with local newspapers and reporters to
discuss Edison's record. It is drafting op-ed material for publication in newspapers.

The Federation urges its members to examine the reports, which are linked on the website -
# - under Edison's Record.

Note the executive summary and recommendations of both reports, as well as Western Michigan University's response to Edison's attack on the findings. Also, note the Education Week article on Edison's financial problems in the wake of the Enron disaster.

Keep in mind that you can download and/or print all or part of these documents for distribution in your local area.

REQUEST FOR ACTION
The Federation requests that members send letters to editors of their local newspapers concerning the issue of private corporate management of public schools and Edison's record.

MESSAGES
Letters should advocate for more public investment in "low performing schools" instead of turning them over to Edison.

For Example:
1. Higher pay will attract more qualified teachers and result in lower turnover;
2. Hiring of more teachers will result in lower pupil-teacher ratios;
3. State-of-the-art educational materials and equipment will improve student performance;
4. Newer, remodeled schools will contribute to better student performance; and,
5. Better testing methods, other than standardized tests scores, should be used to measure what students actually know.

The evaluations demonstrate that Edison Schools do not substantially perform better than public
schools.

In fact, the Edison schools:
1. Tend to hire novice teachers because they can be paid less than experienced teachers;
2. Pupil-teacher ratio is on average higher in Edison schools; and,
3. There is a higher than normal turnover of Edison school teachers and paraprofessionals.

It is very important that local newspapers, radio, TV and other media outlets receive massive amounts of communication NOW!

EMAIL LINKS
If you have additional email and snail mail addresses other than those linked and listed below that NMFEE could network statewide, then send them to the union via email ASAP at nmfee@nmfee.org

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Check # several times a day for developing news and Action Alerts.
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NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS
#
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E-NEWS is a weekly service of NMFEE Communications.
#nmfeenewsfeb1.html
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Copyright (c) 2002 NMFEE.

Febuary 1, 2002                                                             click here for prior issue  
click here for archived issues

In this issue:
* Edison Poised to Bid on Schools
* Edison Evaluations
* Request for Action
* Message
* E-mail Links

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WEEKLY QUOTE: DR. ALBERT EINSTEIN 
“I consider it important, indeed urgently necessary, for intellectual workers to get together, both to protect their own economic status and, also generally speaking, to secure their influence in the political field.” 
--- Dr. Einstein’s statement on why he joined the American Federation of Teachers,
       AFL-CIO, 1916

SATURDAY’S MARCH & RALLY
Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of working families, labor union members, educational employees, high school and university students, and other supporters of quality education will assemble in Santa Fe Sat., Feb. 2. The weather will be sunny with a temperature of 47 degrees.

Activities begin at 11 AM with a $5 Mexican food lunch at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on 833 Early St. Lunch will be followed at 1 PM by a one-mile march to the Capitol. Marchers will join with others on the West side of the Capitol for the rally, scheduled to
begin at 2 PM. Click here for directions. There will be numerous speakers at the rally,
including NM Federation of Educational Employees president and NM Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO president Christine Trujillo.

BRING YOUR UMBRELLAS TO SYMBOLIZE THAT IT IS RAINING
ON EDUCATION AND IT’S TIME TO USE THE “RAINY DAY” SURPLUS!
March and rally sponsored by WORKING FAMILIES UNITED.  For more info call: NMFEE: 800-224-3270

SENATE WORKING ON EDUCATION BUDGET
At the same time the march and rally are going on, the Senate Finance Committee (SFC) will be meeting to build a budget for education.

GOALS OF MARCH, RALLY 
1. Persuade the Senate to add enough money to the budget to cover increased health insurance costs, which are expected to increase by 15-percent next year. We need $800,000 added to what the House provided.

2. Persuade the Senate to find the money to provide a 5.3-percent increase for educational employees that will bring salaries up to the regional average. The Senate can either tap the $362 million budget surplus (“rainy day fund”), streamline the $3.9 billion budget to prioritize education, raise taxes, or work a combination of all these options to come up with the resources.

3. Persuade the Senate to pass legislation that would use more of the $11 billion permanent fund's interest for education.

IF YOU CAN’T GO TO THE MARCH, RALLY
Flood the SFC and Senate with emails and phone calls NOW! We need thousands of emails and phone calls. Quantity and volume are very important! This is the way you can help get the Senate’s attention if you can’t go to Santa Fe. Click on the links below to send emails. Follow-up with phone calls to Senators’ offices. 

For SFC: #actionalert6.html
For senators: http://www.nmft.org, click on “Identify & Contact Your Senators NOW.”

MYTH # 2
Legislators would have us believe that they can’t spend the surplus on recurring expenses such as education funding. If that’s true then why is the Legislature spending
some of the surplus on Medicaid, which is a recurring expense? Relying mostly on the budget surplus, the House wants to increase spending on Medicaid by $45 million. If they can spend the surplus on Medicaid, then they can also spend some of the surplus on education.

Second, if you can’t spend the surplus on recurring expenses such as educational employees’ salaries, then why is the Senate spending the surplus on pay raises
for state officials?

The Senate wants to increase the Gov’s salary by 67-percent, from $90,000 to $150,000; the attorney general’s salary by 38-percent, from $72,500 to $100,000; salaries of secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer and lieutenant governor would go up 23-percent, from $65,000 to $90,000; and the land commissioner’s pay would rise by 24-percent, from $72,500 to $90,000. The bill to raise all these salaries is sponsored by Sen. Ben Altamirano, the Senate Finance Committee chair.

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NATIONAL NEWS
Get AFT's spin on education news from around the country - "Inside AFT." Updated each Monday.

January 24, 2002                                                           click here for prior issue  
click here for archived issues

In this issue:
* Weekly Quotes
* Available Resources
* What’s Missing?
* What Must We Do?
* Network Test Results

WEEKLY QUOTES: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING
“The chain reaction of evil — hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars — must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”
‘Strength to Love’, 1963

“A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”
‘Statement Opposing Vietnam War’, 1967

AVAILABLE RESOURCES
Many public educational employees believe the governor, some legislators, and the mass media when they say, “There’s no money for education.” WRONG! In fact, there's plenty of money to invest in quality education. So, don’t throw in the towel just yet.

First, there is the $450 million surplus; second, the state has a $3.6 billion budget that lawmakers could adjust to prioritize education funding; third, New Mexico has $10 billion in the world’s third largest educational endowment; finally, there’s $8 million in new money. So, anyone who believes there’s no money is misinformed and misled.

Then there are those who say, "If we pass a 5.3-percent increase, the governor will veto it." WRONG AGAIN! During 8 years of Johnson rule, lawmakers learned how to write salary increases into the budget "above the line" so the governor couldn't veto them.

WHAT’S MISSING?
What’s missing is the legislative will to prioritize investment in quality education and JUST DO IT! But, that's where we come in.

One of the governor’s cabinet secretaries said it best. “It’s not an issue of money – it’s an issue of what are the priorities,” John Garcia, Economic Development Secretary, Jan. 23, ABQ Journal.

WHAT MUST WE DO?
Follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther King: take positive action and set the priorities.

Go to Santa Fe on Sat., Feb. 2. Take your umbrellas, because it's raining. We will demonstrate that the rainy day surplus must be invested in quality education.

Feb. 2. will be the largest demonstration in New Mexico history. You don't want to miss it. For information go to # 

Until Feb. 2, get the attention of your lawmakers. Flood them with emails and phone calls. Educate them. Ask them to invest $106 million of the available resources listed above in quality education.

NMFEE has installed a link “Identify & Contact Your Legislators.” Use it to make your contacts.

NETWORK TEST RESULTS
On Jan. 22, NMFEE conducted a 24-hour test of the union's capacity to contact legislators with calls for action. In a special "Action Alert", network members were asked to contact Rep. Mimi Stewart. She agreed to participate in the test, and reported the following results -- emails: 92; phone calls: 1; faxes: 0; office visits: 0.

Test message was: "Dear Rep. Stewart, Please introduce a bill to invest more of the Land Grant Permanent Fund in quality education. Thank you.”

Thanks to all who made this test a success. Check # several times a day for notification of the next "Action Alert", target, and message.

NATIONAL NEWS
Get AFT's spin on education news from around the country - "Inside AFT." Updated each Monday.

January 14, 2002                                                           click here for prior issue  
click here for archived issues

UNITY EVENTS
January 19 - Parents are invited to attend a House Education Committee hearing Sat., Jan. 19, 9-11 AM, State Capitol, House Chambers. The committee wants parents' ideas about quality education. Voucher and school choice advocates are also organizing for this hearing.

ACTION CALL # 5
If you didn't write your state legislators during Phase One of Operation Wake A Sleeping Giant, then it's not too late to contact them. Use the "Identify & Email Your Legislators" link on #. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem."

--- Eldridge Cleaver, 1968 "Soul on Ice"

NATIONAL NEWS
Get AFT's spin on education news from around the country - "Inside AFT." Updated each Monday #

January 2, 2002                                                  click here for prior week's issue click here for archived issues

1. Educational employees get the latest in available technology, with adequate support and training; 
2. True discipline in the classroom; 
3. More educational employees who work directly with students and fewer administrators
4. Fewer students in classrooms
5. Legislators bestowing part of a huge reserve of money to help strengthen the future economy of New Mexico by investing it in public schools
6. A zeal for knowledge and education will burst forth.   

WEEKLY QUOTE 
"I consider it important, indeed urgently necessary, for intellectual workers to get together, both to protect their own economic status and, also, generally speaking, to secure their influence in the political field." 
--- Albert Einstein commenting on why he joined AFT in 1938 at Princeton University

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NATIONAL NEWS
AFT spin on education news "Inside AFT."  #

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This update is a weekly service of NMFEE Communications. #     
Copyright (c) 2001 NMFEE.

December 24, 2001                                           click here for prior week's issue click here for archived issues

	Trujillo Elected AFL-CIO President
	Gov. Cuts Education
	Cuts To Fund Vouchers, Merit Pay
	More Reforms
	Action Call # 2
	Cash Reserves
	Jan. 16 Training
	Rally Dates

TRUJILLO ELECTED AFL-CIO PRESIDENT
The NM Federation of Labor AFL-CIO executive board elected Christine Trujillo as its new president on Dec. 17. Trujillo replaces outgoing AFL-CIO president Joe Chavez. The vote was unanimous.

GOV. CUTS EDUCATION
On Dec. 17, Gov. 'Scrooge' Johnson recommended his version of a state budget that cuts education by more than $15 million. The gov's cuts: $11 million of fixed costs such as electricity, heating and insurance; $2 million of Even Start pre-school programs; $2 million of professional development; and, $1.7 million of the State Department of Education budget.

CUTS FUND VOUCHERS, MERIT PAY 
The governor recommends that the $15 million in education cuts be used to fund a voucher program in Albuquerque and merit pay for school employees.

MORE REFORMS
The gov's education cuts and "reform" measures include a constitutional amendment to eliminate the State Superintendent of Education and create a cabinet-level secretary of education appointed by the governor; allowing students to graduate from high school after 10th grade; repealing the Little Davis-Bacon Act; and, pay raises funded by freezing educational employees' retirement contributions. Those years that school  employees freeze investments would not count toward their years of service when it's time to retire.

ACTION CALL # 2
There is enough money to invest in quality education now. Our job is to create the will to invest. If we want to defeat the governor's cuts and persuade legislators to invest in education, we will have to fight. The path of action is clear. There's no time to consider otherwise. Please write your legislators NOW! Advocate for regional parity - a 5.3 percent investment increase in salaries, costing $80 million, for all school employees, including higher education. #

CASH RESERVES
According the December issue of Noticias de Nuestra Casa, the House of Representatives newsletter, cash reserves are currently at 12-percent of the budget. That's approximately half a billion dollars just lying on the table, not being invested in quality education.

JAN. 16 TRAINING
Participate in our annual legislative workshop: #

RALLY DATES
NMFEE and NEA-NM are planning a State Capitol rally to support quality education. Suggested dates are Jan. 26 or Feb. 2. On Jan. 26, the House Education Committee will hold floor hearings on quality education, but most legislators will not be at the State Capitol.

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NATIONAL NEWS
AFT spin on education news "Inside AFT."  #

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This update is a weekly service of NMFEE Communications. #     
Copyright (c) 2001 NMFEE.

December 17, 2001                                           click here for prior week's issue

	Committee Strips Raises
	Unbudgeted Money
	Pay Raises
	Action Call #1
	Legislative Agenda
	Report Card, Voter Registration

COMMITTEE STRIPS RAISES
On Dec. 14, the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) recommended a state budget that is silent on pay raises for educational employees. The LFC stripped salary increases from a budget that staff presented to them earlier in the week. The reason for removing the increases: new revenues are down to $8 million.

UNBUDGETED MONEY
The LFC-recommended budget contains at least $195 million in cash reserves and an additional $164 million in unbudgeted money. In addition, there is approximately $25 million in casino revenues and $60 million in the Tobacco Trust Fund. Finally, there's more than $10 billion in the educational endowment trust fund.

PAY RAISES
President Christine Trujillo believes there is plenty of money available for competitive salary increases in 2002-2003. The NMFEE and NEA-NM are supporting a 5.3 percent raise, costing about $79.2 million.

ACTION CALL # 1
Please write your legislators NOW and advocate for regional parity, a 5.3 percent raise. #

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
NMFEE/NEA-NM's 2002 agenda will arrive at APS schools this week. NMFEE is also mailing the agenda to members who live outside ABQ. The Dec. 15 ABQ Tribune and Dec. 16 ABQ Journal published the agenda on their editorial pages. NMFEE is also mailing the agenda to legislators. The agenda can be viewed and printed from the link below. #

REPORT CARD, VOTER REGISTRATION
The fed's 2001 education report card is also available for viewing. Members can see how their legislators voted during the 2001 session: #

NATIONAL NEWS
AFT's spin on education news "Inside AFT." Updated each Monday #

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From NMFEE on the WEB. This update is provided as a weekly service of NMFEE Communications, Albuquerque. #

LETTER CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
The state fed’s campaign to flood state legislators with U.S. mail is gathering steam. In October, local presidents and staff received an Operation Wake a Sleeping Giant information packet with a request from Christine to present the material to union members. In November, Christine mailed a letter to each member asking them to write their legislators. Over the Winter Break, members will receive a home mailing of the agenda and the Challenge. The newsletter contains everything necessary to write legislators. ABQ Education Assistants president Kathy Chavez has presented the letter writing campaign to her members in school meetings for two months with great success. #

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2001 EDUCATION REPORT CARD
The state fed’s 2001 legislative education report card is available for viewing on the website. Many members want to see how their legislators voted during the t session before they write them. #

BEGIN VOTER REGISTRATION
President Trujillo is requesting that local presidents and staff verify that all Federation members are registered to vote. This issue should be addressed at each meeting. The goal is to register all union members.

STATES FUNDING EDUCATION FIRST
Arizona and Florida’s governors have told their state legislators to fund education first. In Arizona, the governor told legislators to cut everything but education funding. In Florida, the governor told legislators to postpone a planned tax cut in order to provide funding for education reform. Your letters to legislators will persuade them to do the same.

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ABQ SECRETARY/CLERK’S WEBSITE
Check out the new website for the ABQ Secretarial & Clerical Association. #

NATIONAL NEWS
Get AFT's spin on education news from around the country - "Inside AFT." Updated each Monday #

 

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