To Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Members of the California State Senate and State Assembly:

We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the effect of your proposed budget on children. This proposed budget makes devastating cuts to schools, in the amount of $2.5 billion over the next two years, despite the hollow pledge to protect education. The cuts also decimate children’s healthcare and family services.

In the past two years, the state of California has cut $17 billion from schools, and made deep cuts to social services which have added to the burden borne by the children and families most in need of help. Our children have already suffered increased class size, and lost summer school programs, home to school transportation, teachers, administrators, counselors, librarians, nurses and so much more. If this proposal goes through, our children stand to lose even more: music programs, high school sports & activities, more teachers, administrators and support staff.

We fundamentally reject this budget proposal and ask that you immediately rescind ALL proposed budget cuts with respect to any educational service or school program. We also urge you to support legislation to lower the threshold for passage of both the California state budget and revenue measures in the California Legislature, as well as local school parcel taxes, from the current two-thirds to a 55 percent vote or a simple majority.

If these proposed cuts are ratified, an entire generation of children will be hurt by this mistake. Our future hangs in the balance. Please do not let our children down.

Signed,

Concerned Parents and Citizens Everywhere

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