Received this e-mail from Senator Mark Begich (D. AK) regarding President Obama's upcoming budget proposal:
My mother was a teacher. My dad was a teacher. My sisters are teachers, and my sister-in-law is a retired teacher.
Alaska owes a lot to our teachers -- and when the sequester took effect, education programs took a hit. And now school districts in Alaska and across the country are feeling the crunch.
Since the sequester was lifted, we’ve been able to restore some of the resources that were taken away from our schools - but not nearly enough. In his upcoming budget, President Obama has an opportunity to make education a top priority. And I need your help to tell him that he should.
Join me in calling on President Obama to restore support for education programs in his annual budget. Signing my open letter will only take a minute.
http://www.markbegich.com/...
I’m focused on continuing to find ways to fix the one-size-fits-all education policies that come out of Washington and don’t fit in Alaska. And we’ve made some progress.
But we need to do more. School districts in Juneau, Anchorage, and Fairbanks may be forced to cut teachers soon -- a move that would hurt students.
Now, Washington needs to do a better job of cutting unnecessary and wasteful spending. And I’ve worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to identify areas we can make real cuts.
But education programs are not “wasteful” and “unnecessary.” They are essential. I feel strongly that it’s time for the President restore these programs.
If you’re with me, sign the open letter to President Obama urging him to restore support for education in his next budget.
http://www.markbegich.com/...
I will always support Alaska’s students and teachers. Thank you for joining me.
Mark
Click here to add your name:
http://www.markbegich.com/...