It’s survival time for Teacher Center programs and people across the
state once again.  Governor Pataki’s Executive Budget proposal for New York State, 1999-2000, does NOT include funding for Centers (and other
important education programs).  Don’t be fooled by inclusion of the
"continuation" money that enables us to conclude our work by June 30.
Don’t let your representatives be fooled either.  There is no new money
for Teacher Centers in the Governor’s budget.

     And this year there’s a new element in our old scenario: the line-
item veto. It’s not enough that legislators pledge their support (which
they are doing).  We need their votes for the endgame occurring in their
party conferences and, perhaps, for a veto override.  If we don’t get it
done together, there will be no state funds for Teacher Centers on July 1.

     We are asking our colleagues to help build the ground swell of
support which has served us well in the past.  We know it’s tedious to
hear the same old appeals, but we have no choice.  Teacher Centers are
the offspring of the legislature, and legislators need to be reminded to
perform their parental duties.

     You can help us again by generating
•telephone calls to legislators and the Governor briefly stating support
for new and improved funding and reminding them that "continuation"
money is not new money.  There is no new money for Teacher Centers in
the Governor’s proposal.

•e-mail to legislators and the Governor briefly asserting consternation
about the cuts.

•letters to legislators and the Governor showing how teaching practice
has changed for the better as a result of Teacher Center work and how
students have benefited from such changes.

     Electronic communications can be facilitated by using the NYSUT web
site for e-mail and faxes to legislators:  http://www.nysut.org

Or you may send e-mail through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center site.  It’s fun to use these 21st century tools for advocacy, and you get responses pretty quickly.