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Petition Tag - budget
1. They broke it. Make them pay to fix it! 
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- There is an employment crisis because of a lack of decent stable jobs.
- There is a moral crisis because the rich and well connected want the rest of us to pay for their irresponsible speculation, fraud and greed.
- There is a crisis of democracybecause our political system is dominated by people with money rather than people with good ideas.
- We've made our sacrifices. . . . We sacrificed our jobs, standard of living, health care, children's education, retirement security, the environment and the precious lives of our loved ones in wars.
Let those who caused the crisis now make their sacrifices!
The PUT FOOD IN THE BUDGET CAMPAIGN represents 30 communities across Ontario that promote the implementation of a $100 Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance in Ontario. The Supplement will serve as a down payment in closing the monthly income gap.
10, 000 + Ontarians and 50 MPPs of all political parties have completed the 'Do the Math' Budget Survey which calculates the monthly living costs for a single individual. The average monthly cost arrived at was $1,350. The current poverty line for a single individual is approximately $1,600/month. An individual on social assistance receives $592 per month. Once rent is paid, there is little if anything left, forcing thousands of Ontarians to rely on already over burdened food banks.
The basic needs allowance is set far below actual market costs. This negligence has created a widespread food insecurity crisis and increase in chronic illness related to poor nutrition. These issues are a cost to society, where as putting money in the hands of low-income individuals will immediately benefit our communities ("How paying people’s way out of poverty can help us all" Globe & Mail)
The government has created its Social Assistance Review to evaluate the true cost of living in communities across Ontario and we are asking them to establish a new benchmark for income adequacy in setting benefit rates. In the meantime, individuals living in deep poverty cannot afford to wait any longer to have a place to live and enough money to purchase healthy food.
The PUT FOOD IN THE BUDGET CAMPAIGN is in partnership with Association of Local Public Health Agencies, Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC), and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
3. Stop Tasmanian Catholic school funding cuts
The Tasmanian Government announced in the 2011 - 2012 State budget that it intends to directly cut funding to Tasmanian Catholic schools by 5%.
Further to this, because the Tasmanian Department of Education is facing significant budget cuts as a whole, the flow on effect to Tasmanian Catholic schools will potentially be ANOTHER 5%.
This means parents, grandparents and carers may face significant school fee increases.
This could amount to 10 - 14% school fee INCREASES in real terms.
Please support the Tasmanian Catholic Parents and Friends Federation by sending a clear message to the Tasmanian Minister for Education and Skills, Hon. Nick McKim that breaking the funding agreement (1998) on state support to the Tasmanian Catholic education sector is not only UNFAIR it will be political suicide for both Labor and the Greens.
Parents that send their children to a Catholic school actually save the Tasmanian government $5512 based on recurrent expenditure per student (Report on Government Services 2007 - 08).
Fee increases this significant could result in potentially Catholic school families moving their children to the State school system, creating even great financial strain on the Department of Education.
Damian von Samorzewski
President
Tasmanian Catholic School Parents & Friends Federation
www.tcspff.org.au
4. No to budget cuts to our public schools
I do not agree the budget cut on public schools and other programs. I think this is denying our children their right to achieve a good education.
I believe the government can find other programs to make changes to their budget rather than our children education. More at four programs are their to help our children learn the basic skills to help them succeed in kindergarten.
It is essential that we do not allow the government to discontinue or cut the budget for these programs.
5. Better Budget Priorities for Massachusetts
Governor Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature are advancing a budget plan that will cause deep and permanent injury to people and the environment. Their excuse is that there is simply not enough money. But the cause of the budget shortfall is their insistence on preserving waste and unjustified tax giveaways that they have awarded to well-connected interests over the years.
Among the urgently needed measures that they refuse to consider are:
• ending $1.0 billion in ineffective tax giveaways to corporations
• adding $1.2 billion in revenues by making the wealthy pay their fair share
• achieving $1.5 billion in savings through single payer health care
This totals $3.7 billion in savings - more than enough to close the entire $1.9b budget gap!
The Democratic Party holds the governor's office and over 80% of the seats in the Massachusetts Legislature so its vital to let the Democratic leadership know that they will be held accountable for the warped priorities in the current budget.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY STOOD UP
TO CALL FOR A FAIR, COMPASSIONATE BUDGET
Please add your voice by signing the Better Budget petition.
6. We Unite Against Texas Education Budget Cuts
Funding for public and higher education was allotted the most money for the 2010-2011 budget, suggesting its importance. So why cut the funding? By significantly reducing funding for education, you will be putting thousands of teachers and faculty (including janitors and bus drivers) out of work.
By decreasing funding, you will be decreasing the amount of educational programs students in both public and higher education receive. More notably, as minority students have continuously been adversely affected by a lack of funding in education (including overpopulated classrooms, a scarcity of decent technology, facilities, after-school programs, and scholarships), decreasing the already insufficient amount will only increase the inadequacies for us.
As a minority college student, I am relying on financial aid to complete my higher learning. Cutting into these funds will not only raise tuition and reduce student services, but it will prevent me from completing my last year of college.
Education is the most important thing you can offer the students of Texas, the future of this great state. Being that all of you needed education to get to where you are today, I am sure you understand how critical it is to our society. Without it, there would be no government officials like you. Your current budget (allotting $75.4 billion, the largest amount, to education) proves that you realize this, but your current actions represent the contrary. Did education all of a sudden lose its value? We all realize economic times are currently very difficult, but should our current economy be the determinant of a successful future?
I see a future of educated Texans with technological, political, artistic, scientific, and business success, increasingly boosting the economy of Texas. But this bright future can only be realized if you, the people we trust, the people we elected, do not turn your backs on us. If you do, you will be essentially hindering the economy of the future. If you do, you will be preventing future lawyers and doctors from graduating, the next government officials from running this state.
We challenge you to instead:
o Balance the $3.2 billion from the Rainy Day Fund with other alternatives to avoid making large cuts in the education budget that will prevent new recipients of Texas Grants (which largely fund the college education of minority students)
o Spend less on underused areas of the budget
o Generate revenue to offset costs
o Instead of allowing public schools to take up electricity during the summer and other holidays, use the buildings for activities and events to generate revenue when school is not in session.
o Increase taxes on alcohol, cigarettes and other non-necessities.
7. Save Fife Classroom Assistants
Classroom Assistants and Clerical Staff were called to a meeting today with their Head teachers today (9th February 2011) and we were advised that we should be aware of the next set of job cuts to come from Fife Council. We were told to expect cuts in our hours, and a possibility of redundancies.
So once again education is being hit hard. First the playground supervisors, now lollipop men/women, classroom assistants and clerical staff but, who is it that is going to suffer? Not the powers that be at Fife Council who are making all these decisions but the children. Do the people who make these decisions have any idea how a school is run and just how much support staff are required to run the school effectively? Have they come in and shadowed a classroom assistant to see what their role entails?
Gone are the days of cleaning out paint pots. I personally feel we make a huge difference in schools. Why not ask the Head teachers and the teachers to see how they would feel if they lost the support of their classroom assistant. I also urge parents to question this decision because it's their children who will not be getting the extra support that some of them may require to keep them on task. We don't want to go back years ago when children just slipped through the net because there was not enough staff to support the needs of the school.
We work with children of all abilities including the same children that a Pupil Support 2 works with (who are on a higher grade) but I do it because that is what the needs of my school are and at the end of the day we are there to support the teacher and the pupils.
8. Stop Bromley Council axeing school crossing patrols
Bromley Council has unveiled it's first wave of 41 million pound cuts. Amongst the cuts including, closing park toliets, stopping clothing/uniform grants for poor families and charging for parking at countryside sites they have decided to AXE ALL SCHOOL CROSSING PATROLS.
These patrols ensure safety for our children on a daily basis.
9. Stop Budget Cuts For Devon's Vulnerable People
ADVA - Against Domestic Violence and Abuse – was set up in November 2002 to bring together the statutory and voluntary agencies within the county to tackle the problem of domestic violence. They help thousands of women and children every year escape violent and life-threatening situations.
Devon County Council proposes to cut ADVA’s budget by 100% as of April 2011.
If these cuts are endorsed, emerging victims may go unidentified and recovering victims may be left without support.
1 in 4 women will be a victim of Domestic Violence in their lifetime – many of these on a number of occasions. One incident of Domestic Violence is reported to the police every minute. (Women's Aid)
This cut will continue to make Domestic Violence a hidden crime.
10. Irish Government needs a severe pay cut
We, the Irish Citizens have voices, and it's high time we used them. We are calling for the Government to take considerable pay-cuts.
The Taoiseach and all other members should earn no more than 140,000 euro per year, and an expense account disallowed.
These are not outrageous demands. Other country leaders, such as the Prime Minister in the UK, and even the President of France earn a much smaller sum, per annum.
11. Save Somerset Arts Funding
We have until February 2011 to save Somerset Arts Funding.
Somerset Country Council have made the decision to cut 100% of next year’s £159,000 arts development budget. If you value the arts in Somerset then have your say...
If the cut goes ahead it will mean:
Arts organisations in Somerset will not be able to continue the same levels of arts activities within communities;
Children and young people will have fewer opportunities to access arts and education;
Vulnerable people, including isolated, older and disabled people, will have limited chances to benefit from social and health related arts projects;
Somerset’s arts organisations need to produce a petition signed by at least 5,000 Somerset residents in order to generate a new debate at a full County Council meeting on February 2011. Everyone in the family can have their say by signing a form or joining the online petition by the 16 December.
AS LONG AS YOU LIVE, STUDY OR ARE EMPLOYED IN SOMERSET YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO SIGN.
Under 18s need permission from a parent or guardian. Members of a household can sign using the same email address.
12. Implement Financial Literacy into the HPS Health Enhancement Curriculum
As Parents and community members we firmly believe financial literacy is a critical skill that should be taught in our schools.
A person who purposefully signs a name other than his/her own to this petition or who signs more than once for the same issue at one election or signs when not a legally registered Montana voter is subject to a $500.00 fine, 6 months in jail or both.
(Go to http://www.gopetition.us/online/37326.html if you believe that the sexual content in the Human Sexuality Component is improper.)
13. STOP the Edinburgh Tram Nightmare!
Well another £50million on the trams! I am sure I am not the only person getting incredibly annoyed with the joke that is the tram.
I want rid of it, especially with the rising costs that is starting to tear our once great city to bits.
Join me in my bid to get rid of the tram and sign my petition.
14. Please Don't Cut NYC's Parks Budget
On May 6th Mayor Bloomberg released the Fiscal Year 2011 Executive Budget. Despite the ardent testimony provided by park supporters at the City Council Parks and Recreation Committee’s Preliminary Budget hearings on March 23rd, additional cuts have been made to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
City funds appropriated to the Department have been further reduced from $258 million last year to $230 million -- almost $30 million cut. Unfortunately, the funding loss will heavily impact jobs and thus park maintenance. The reduction is a result of full-time staff loss through attrition and reductions in funding for seasonal positions.
In addition to the 377 full-time jobs cut from the Department, the budget proposes an additional 16.5% cut to the seasonal staffing budget, which represents a loss of 113 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions within the Department’s seasonal workforce. Considering that they are the main workforce during the peak spring and summer months, this will undoubtedly impact park maintenance, security, and special programs offered in parks.
The City Council works closely with the Mayor each year to develop and approve the city’s annual budget. A final budget for the next year will be adopted prior to the start of the Fiscal Year on July 1st. We urge you to sign this petition and write to your Council Members and Mayor Bloomberg in support of these essential restorations.
15. Allow lllinois municipalities to make their own retirement benefit decisions for employees
The Problem?
The Illinois pension system is in jeopardy. If we continue to provide lavish, outdated pensions to newly-hired government employees, our state and local governments could be bankrupt in just a few years.
The Solution?
Give local government in Illinois an option that stops the flow of NEW EMPLOYEES into the current, broken pension system.
Allow Illinois municipalities to choose the retirement benefit they offer to new employees. They may provide new employees with the current pension system, or they may provide them with a 401(k)-style retirement plan.
16. Exempt Not-For-Profits From Governor Paterson's MTA Mobility Tax
In 2009, the NYS Legislature enacted a budget that included a hastily planned Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Mobility Tax aimed at curing the Authority's deficit. The MTA tax imposes a 0.34 percent payroll tax on businesses within the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (MCTD) and does not distinguish between not-for-profits, many of which are funded primarily with public funds, and for-profit businesses. Now the Legislature is considering increasing the tax for New York City businesses to .54 percent, as proposed in the Governor’s Executive Budget. The consequences of this tax will be a reduction in the amount of funding the human services sector will have to deliver essential services to the public.
The MTA tax has had a drastic impact on nonprofits. Unlike for-profit businesses, they do not have profit margins to pay for this additional cost. And now the Governor has proposed increasing that tax, at a time when nonprofits can least afford yet another burden on their already overstretched budgets. The consequences of this tax will be a reduction in the amount of funding the nonprofit sector will have to deliver essential services to the public.
The Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC) urges the NYS Legislature to exempt nonprofits from the MTA mobility payroll tax.
17. Hire a Licensed Guidance Counselor at Barnum High School
In the past Barnum High School has employed a State Licensed Guidance Counselor. During the past two years Barnum High School has used a Dean of Students (who is a certified teacher/not educated or licensed as a Guidance Counselor) to fulfill the duties of a Guidance Counselor. The Barnum High School Students deserve a Licensed Guidance Counselor.
The hiring of a Guidance Counsellor is already in the Operating Budget of the school. This change will not eliminate any jobs as the teacher acting as a "Dean of Students" is tenured and will revert back to her teaching duties (without loss of pay or grade). Barnum High School Staff and Students deserve the immediate hiring of a Licensed Guidance Counselor.
18. Philadelphia Student Newspaper; Support The Text
The Philadelphia Student Newspaper, The Text, was cut from the University's budget for the 2009-2010 school year. This absence has left the University and it's students without an outlet to communicate and discuss campus and world issues.
A student newspaper is an integral part of any campus or city - it unifies students and serves as a voice, culture, and source of communication. This petition is to show that students and faculty of Philadelphia University want and need a student newspaper.
19. Save the Library - Los Angeles Public Library
Cuts in services and hours for Los Angeles Public Library are being planned. Let our mayor and city council know that in today's economic downturn.
The public library is more important than ever (job hunting, etc.). Budget cuts should be made in less essential areas of government.
20. Stop the Sale of the O.C. Fair & Events Center
Due to the current budget crisis in California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed selling a number of "under-utilized" fairgrounds, arenas and parks owned by the state.
While this plan has been on the table for quite some time now, the neighboring home owners, citizens of Orange County and the Business Owners who utilize the O.C. Fair & Events Center have just now been made aware of the possibility. Other sites considered for sale have been able to stop the proceedings by gaining a large amount of local support and providing a substantial amount of proof that the site is not "under-utilized".
We wish to stop the sale of the fairgrounds based on the heritage it brings to Orange County, the programs it houses to benefit our children, and the many small businesses that count on it for their survival. If it is sold there is no guarantee of what may take it's place and/or how it will be run.
21. Don't Cut Public Library Funding
We are petitioning the City of Rockford to reverse its threat to cut public library funding in next year's budget. Please sign below to let the Mayor and City Council know that you are against such cuts.
22. Save California, Raise Taxes Now
California's deficit is now 24 to 30 billion dollars. Major cuts are proposed which involve closing state parks and cutting services to the poor, the sick and the elderly.
A "no new taxes" ideology is sending California over the cliff.
23. Demand Those Responsible Pay Back The Missing Education Dollars
ADLER - AUDITOR'S FINDINGS IN WILLINGBORO MERITS CRIMINAL PROBE
Audit: Willingboro school officials faked financial reports in 2005.
TRENTON - Senator John H. Adler today asked State Attorney General Stuart Rabner to launch a criminal probe to punish those responsible for misappropriating millions of taxpayer dollars in the Willingboro Township School District.
"As we tell our children, there have to be consequences for wrongdoing," said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. "Taxpayers need to know we will dig down to the root causes of wrongdoing and punish those responsible."
In a report by State Auditor Richard L. Fair, it was disclosed that Willingboro officials approved a grossly under-funded budget for the 2005 fiscal year and then falsified reports to cover up the shortfall, causing a crisis which was abated only after the Legislature sanctioned a $10 million bailout loan.
"It is unconscionable that New Jersey taxpayers should be asked to tolerate and to subsidize what very well may be criminal behavior," Senator Adler said in a letter today sent to Attorney General Stuart Rabner. "As a taxpayer, I am appalled. As a State Senator, I appeal to you for a corrective remedy."
The Auditor's report noted that the Willingboro School Board said its vote to approve the budget was based on "falsified" information supplied by district staff. In July of 2005, the board suspended School Superintendent Alonzo Kittrels.
In the wake of a school district deficit set at $5.9 million, three Willingboro schools were shuttered in the district of 5,600 students.
The State audit found that the district's 2005 budget set aside $13.6 million for teachers' salaries when the actual cost was $17.7 million and that a monthly report on the district's financial activity consistently understated expenses.
"Children should see that grownups who abuse taxpayers are held accountable," Senator Adler said. "Otherwise, we're all complicit."
Senator Adler served as co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform which recommended tighter fiscal accountability procedures for districts throughout New Jersey.
24. Say No to Any Budget Cut over 8% to Social and Human Services in Illinois
Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois has proposed a budget for the state that will result in cuts of 20-50% for social and human service programs. These cuts will affect the population of developmentally disabled adults and children in the state, resulting in the closing of many community residential facilities, day training sites, closing of workshops, and community services which allow them to live independently. These cuts will ultimately result in many individuals becoming either homeless or warehoused in a large institution.
The cuts not only affect their livelihood, but also impact the employees that work at these facilities, workshops, day training sites, case management, etc. These people will lose their jobs, impacting entire households and furthering the burden on the unemployment and welfare programs of this state. Furthermore, the closing of these facilities, workshops, day trainings will be detrimental to the small communities these facilities reside.
The income and spending of these facilities will no longer occur at the local gas station, grocery store, McDonald's, etc. Everyone will lose if these cuts go into effect.
These facilities are already struggling to stay afloat because the state is 6 + months behind on paying their reimbursement rates. These facilities have to borrow from banks to stay afloat, therfore incurring huge interest charges that they will not be reimbursed. Last year the state failed for months to make payments to these facilities, and then suddenly paid up the back payments in December (just in time to be taxed).
Illinois citizens are tired of the government manipulations, games, ridiculous pork projects that are attached to human lives and welfare of our communities.
25. Save Austin's Free Spay/Neuter Services
The City of Austin is facing a budget shortfall, and difficult decisions must be made about what services are most valuable for our community. Included in a menu of potential budget reductions are two proposals that threaten Emancipet’s successful partnership with the City, a program that provides 4,000 free pet sterilizations (spay/neuter) and over 3,500 free rabies vaccinations to pets living in low-income neighborhoods each year. This program costs the City $195,000 per year.
There are two proposals for reducing the city outlay for this important spay/neuter program. One calls for a reduction in funding for the program by half, and funding it instead through unsolicited citizen donations. Because of the nature of a donation fund, this is far too unreliable a funding source for such an important and effective core program. The second proposal is to cut out the other half of the program completely, reducing the number of surgeries available by 2,000.
Unfortunately, these proposals will not save money. In fact, they cost more money than they save, will cause more animals to die, and will put human health and safety at risk in the neighborhoods we serve. The free sterilization program is an investment in prevention and sustainability, and it works. It is imperative that the free sterilization program remain fully funded, and as a core part of the City’s general fund.
1. REDUCING THE FUNDING FOR SPAY/NEUTER ACTUALLY COSTS MORE MONEY THAN IT SAVES.
A 2005 LBJ School study of five years of program data conclusively determined that the free sterilization program reduced the intake of dogs and slowed the intake of cats at the shelter when compared to the non-program area. A reduction of half the program funding would cause a decrease of about 1,200 dog surgeries and 800 cat surgeries per year. Eliminating these sterilizations will lead to an increase in shelter intake, and that will cost the City far more than they will save by reducing this funding. One surgery costs about $33. The cost to shelter one animal is $141.95. This means that if eliminating these free sterilizations increases shelter intake by just 683 animals, the cost of housing those additional animals will be equal to the savings gained by City, resulting in net zero savings from this “reduction.”
2. REDUCING THE FUNDING FOR SPAY/NEUTER PUTS HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY AT RISK.
Spaying and neutering animals makes them safer to live with humans. The vast majority of dog bites are from unneutered males, and most victims are small children. Further, because the budget reductions also include the elimination of free rabies vaccinations, these animals will also be more likely to transmit the deadly rabies virus when they do bite humans. Eliminating the only source of accessible pet sterilization and vaccination in these neighborhoods puts Austin’s poorest children and families at risk of dog bites and attacks and of needlessly contracting dangerous diseases transmitted by unhealthy animals.
3. REDUCING THE FUNDING FOR SPAY/NEUTER MEANS MORE HOMELESS ANIMALS WILL DIE.
Shelter intake rates drive euthanasia rates. If more animals enter the shelter next year, the number of animals killed will also increase, reversing the inspiring progress Austin has made in the last several years. This is especially dangerous as we move forward with the construction of a new animal shelter that has the same capacity for housing animals as the current shelter. If we reduce this program, intake will quickly outrun the capacity of the new shelter, leading to higher euthanasia rates and a public outcry. Further, if this program displaces what is currently funded through the donation fund, such as treating sick and injured animals, something the shelter treats now, like a broken leg, will become a death sentence for otherwise adoptable dogs and cats in our shelter.
26. California Students for Saving the CalGrant Program
The State of California is facing an economic crisis like it has never seen before. It is apparent that tough decisions must be made and there have to be some cuts to the state's budget. There is no way around some form of budget cuts.
Families throughout the state are suffering in this economy and are now seeing their dreams of sending their children to have a quality education collapse in front of them. The rising cost of fees make higher education inaccessible for these families.
Thankfully California has maintained the CalGrant program even during these hard times. The future of California and its many of its citizens are relying on the CalGrant program to pay for their education and ensure a prosperous life.
27. Tell Congress to Support Domestic Energy Production
Dear Representative,
As landowners, mineral owners, oil & gas professionals, and concerned citizens, we have much at stake in this nation's domestic energy policy. Our region and its people are working hard to fuel our nation's energy independence. However, with our energy sector suffering through a financially challenging period, we ask that you not "kick" our industry while it is down.
As you consider the budget for the fiscal year 2010, we ask that you reject any policy or legislation that would hamper the well being of our domestic energy industry. Collectively, we are concerned with the following proposals in President Obama’s 2010 budget proposal;
- The elimination of tax mechanisms crucial to capital formation for drilling;
- The repeal of the manufacturers' tax deduction for the percentage depletion allowance;
- The repeal of the enhanced oil recovery credit;
- An imposed excise tax on Gulf of Mexico production;
- An increase in the geological and geophysical amortization period;
- Charges to oil and gas producers for user fees and processing permits to allow drilling on federal lands; and
- The reinstatement of the Superfund tax on refiners and petrochemical manufacturers that would bring into government coffers, a total $17.2 billion from 2011-19.
As Congress debates the 2010 budget, please know that the legislation you pass will affect the millions of citizens working to make our nation’s energy independence a reality. Thank you for your consideration.
28. Stop California's Budget Cuts
People around California are losing their jobs. Why? These budget cuts are meant to save money that are supposed to be used for their salary. The plan for them is to fire thousands of Americans so they can 'save teh economy'! People affected are number one, teachers; the government will fire a countless amount of them and make the ones who aren't to take the responsibility of more kids-their classes can grow up to 40 kids! Second, people affected include people for law enforcement. We will see many investigators and such fired and sections of jails shut down. How can we do the work of justice if this happens? How can we disadvantage our children, the futures of America?
Would you want your children to be in a class of 40 kids? This would bring a disadvantage to their education, as the teacher will have a great number of kids to educate already. Do you want more crime to come by shutting down whole sections of jails and thousands of law enforcers? Signing this petition would help bring a stop to the firing of thousands of more teachers, educators, and law enforcing workers who are at a risk of losing their jobs. Think, how does making teachers lose their jobs, giving kids learning disadvantages, and allowing the stop of law enforcement helping the economy?
29. Save Puyallup School District Library Programs
The Puyallup School District Board of Directors, in an effort to balance the budget in these difficult economic times, is being asked to save funds by eliminating half of our certificated school library media specialists. This action will reduce student access to strong school library programs and deny equal access for all students to the shared resources and information skills instruction crucial for students to learn and thrive in the 21st century.
It is our hope that Puyallup citizens can help reverse the trend of serious reductions to our school library programs by calling on our school board to ensure that teacher librarians, library programs and technology training are no longer at risk. It is our wish that our children and their teachers have full and equal access to the literacy and collaborative opportunities provided by our school libraries and certified teacher librarians. It is our belief that information literacy and the technology training facilitated in our school libraries are crucial to our children, and that the teacher librarian's knowledge of student ability allows them to place "just right books" into the hands of students, fostering a love of reading and life-long learning.
The results of numerous studies indicate that Puyallup School District students and teachers would be best served by intact, fully-funded library and technology programs.
The U.S. Commission on Libraries and Information Science summarizes what decades of research have shown in state after state after state:
•Students in schools with good school libraries learn more, get better grades, and score higher on standardized test scores than their peers in schools without libraries.
•School Libraries have an important role in teaching. Certified teacher librarians are working with teachers to change what is possible in the classroom and support learning opportunities with books, computer resources and more.
•School libraries are leading the way for technology use in schools.
•School libraries inspire literacy.
•School libraries need to be staffed by a certified teacher librarian in order to have a positive impact on student academic achievement. http://www.nclis.gov
•To access an extensive list of research please see http://www.lrs.org/impact.php
30. Implement Electronic Home Detention
730 ILCS 5/) Unified Code of Corrections, (730 ILCS 5/Ch. V Art. 8A heading), ARTICLE 8A. ELECTRONIC HOME DETENTION, a law that because it has the word “may” instead of shall, they have been able to ignore for over 15 years. The law reads “ A person serving a sentence for conviction of a Class 2, 3 or 4 felony offense which is not an excluded offense may be placed in an electronic home detention program pursuant to Department administrative directives…”
It costs less than $2,000.00 per year for Electronic Home Monitoring; it costs between $32,000.00 and $100,000.00 per year to incarcerate a person, depending on age, medical, location.
The reason IDOC gives is “they did not allow Pontiac to close.. So our fixed costs would remain the same.. The savings on food, drugs, etc., are not that significant, so why bother with putting all the administrative procedures in place?”
