Investing in Education: N.C. House Education Cuts

Statement

Friends,

I am fighting to increase our investment in North Carolina's schools. It's the right thing to do for our children and it's also one of the most important things we can do to create jobs.

Last year, the Republican-controlled General Assembly made deep and unnecessary cuts to North Carolina schools. After those cuts, schools were forced to cut 915 teachers, more than 2,000 teacher assistants, and nearly 5,000 total education jobs. Local superintendents from across the state have spoken out loudly about the harmful impact the cuts are having -- one even called the cuts, "a huge cancer in our budget."

Well, the legislature is back in Raleigh making plans for next year's budget. It's hard to believe, but under the budget the N.C. House passed recently, schools would actually receive even less funding than they're getting this year.

You read that right: even in light of all the teacher cuts--and the fact that so many superintendents and other education advocates have voiced such strong concerns about the level of funding--the House approved a budget under which schools would actually receive even less next year than they're receiving this year.

If you have a minute, watch the video I've attached -- it illustrates the differences between the House budget and my budget.

The process isn't over; the General Assembly still has a lot of work left to do on the budget. Please make sure your voice is heard. I urge you to call your state representative and state senator and urge them to invest more resources in North Carolina schools. If you aren't sure who your representative or senator is, you can use this tool:

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/representation/WhoRepresentsMe.html

Thanks again,

Beverly Perdue

Source