Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for May 28, 2009 GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNTDOWN

Even winged cats might flee (fly?) from this daunting task...

Rod Blagojevich may be gone, but the other "players" remain!

Educators Head to Springfield

By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com

CARTERVILLE, Ill.--If lawmakers want to get out of Springfield on time, they have to pass a budget this week.

Some say there's not enough support to pass a budget with the income tax increase that Governor Pat Quinn proposed in March. That could mean big cuts that affect seniors, veterans and students.

The governor floated another version of his income tax increase Wednesday. It's a sign that he's willing to negotiate with lawmakers.

But for some of the people who fear that their programs will be cut without a tax increase there's no room for compromise.

A group from the Williamson County Early Childhood Coop couldn't get to Springfield fast enough.

"This can't wait. This can't be put off until tomorrow morning. It needs to happen today," said director Linda Drust.

They've been told lawmakers will pass a budget soon--and there might not be money for their program.

"We wanted to take action because if it's voted right now, what we are hearing is it's the doomsday budget which will totally eliminate the Early Childhood Block Grant," said family education program coordinator Sheila James.

That grant funds pre-K programs for 100,000 kids across the state. It also provides assistance for at-risk families.

The cuts were proposed as part of a worst-case-scenario floated by the governor last week to drum up support for an income tax increase.

The educators say that made them angry.

"I'm just so tired of of the government and legislators using families, young children as a kind of pawn," said family educator Anita Gentry.

Stakes in this game are high. There is a chance that countless programs could be cut. Rep. John Bradley, (D)-Marion, had this update from the House floor Wednesday: "I've seen different proposals that call for 25 percent cuts across the board on everything, so it's a nightmare."

Teachers say that nightmare could haunt kids for the rest of their school days.

"It all begins [with early childhood], and unless we have quality early childhood [the rest of education] will all go astray," Drust said.

While in Springfield Drust and the rest of the group met with one of the governor's aides. Drust said that person says a tax increase is necessary to keep their program.

They planned on visiting lawmakers in their offices to get their point across as well.

They're encouraging parents, grandparents and just about anyone who cares for kids to let their lawmakers know how important they think early childhood programs are.