Sample
Letter to the Editor
(Date)
Dear
Editor:
Governor
Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts hurt those who
can afford it least: California’s children. His “cuts-only”
approach to the state budget is short-sighted and devastating
to our families and our future.
Our
kids didn’t create this budget crisis, and their futures
shouldn’t be sacrificed because of it.
The
Governor’s budget cuts more than $4 billion from our
schools, forcing school districts to close summer school programs,
after-school programs and eliminate the vital resources that
help students learn. His proposal also cuts services for abused
and neglected children and for those in foster care, impacting
kids both at school and at home.
I
know first-hand how these cuts hurt our kids:
•
California already has some of the most overcrowded classrooms
and the greatest shortages of librarians, counselors and other
critical support staff in the nation. According to Education
Week, California already ranks 46th out of 50 states in per-pupil
funding. The current budget keeps California at the bottom
of those rankings.
•
The proposed cuts are the equivalent of eliminating all arts,
music and career technical education programs from our schools
statewide, with room to cut even more.
•
The Governor’s budget reduces funding for preschool
and certain child care programs by approximately $200 million,
while cutting after-school programs by about $60 million.
•
The 11.4% cut to Child Welfare Services means that the abused
and neglected children who need our help the most will see
significantly reduced services, often putting them directly
in harm’s way.
•
The Governor’s budget would slash foster care funding
by 10 percent, or $81 million, making it harder for many children
to find safe, stable homes.
•
The Governor’s proposal would eliminate childcare for
more than 150,000 of our state’s poorest children, forcing
many low-income working parents out of work in order to stay
home and watch their children.
It’s time to tell our legislators to reject the Governor’s
“cuts-only” budget and make an investment in our
children and in our state’s future.
Sincerely,
(Name)
(Address)
(Phone Number/E-mail)
E-Mail
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