Funding for K-12 education in Texas remains in limbo as lawmakers try to hash out a funding solution during the special legislative session that began on Tuesday. The uncertainty has prompted teachers and parents to hold another rally this weekend at the State Capitol. Here's the press release we received this afternoon.
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2011 Students, teachers, parents continue fight for school funding at Capital this Saturday WHEN: 11 am, Saturday June 4 WHERE: The Rotunda at the Capitol building in Austin WHAT: Families, children, educators rallying and lobbying legislators WHO: Save Texas Schools www.savetxschools.org As devastating cutbacks threaten Texas public schools, hundreds of parents, school children, and teachers from around the state are once again expected to descend on the capitol building this Saturday, June 4 to turn up the heat on education funding during the legislative special session. The day is being organized by Save Texas Schools, the grassroots group behind the March 12 rally that brought over 13,000 Texans to the Capitol to support public education. Just two weeks ago, 300 Save Texas Schools members shook the Capitol and House Chamber, urging leaders to use the Rainy Day Fund. "We helped some leaders find the courage to stand up against the crippling cutbacks. Now we need them all to do what’s right for the children of this state," says Allen Weeks, Save Texas Schools’ chair. As state leaders return for a special session, Save Texas Schools will make the case that, for the majority of Texans, this legislature has been a failure, dealing a harmful blow to schools and children. Focused on cuts and giveaways (including $500 million in SB 1), legislators must be held held accountable for their actions. Save Texas Schools groups will gather at the Capitol Rotunda at 11 am to hear brief speeches from parents, students and legislators, including Sen. Wendy Davis, followed by a demonstration. "Sen. Dan Patrick, in remarks this week, has made it clear that he no longer views education as a constitutional obligation of the state but as an 'entitlement.' We are now in a battle between those who believe in quality public schools and those who view public schools as optional,” says Weeks. “Last August, Governor Perry said that education would not be cut during this session. What happened between the campaign trail and today? Obviously, education is no longer a priority for our leaders." “The public demands that our elected officials do right by the children of Texas by funding public education to the maximum extent possible,” he says. Visit http://savetxschools.org for more information on this event and on the March 12 rally which drew over 13,000 participants, as well as background information on the current school budget crisis. Save Texas Schools is a nonpartisan statewide volunteer coalition of parents, students, educators, business leaders, concerned citizens, community groups and faith organizations. Our goal is to educate our state’s elected officials about the importance of maintaining funding for Texas public education – from pre-K through college – to the maximum degree possible, within the context of the current state budget crisis and beyond.
