02.20.09: Resolution of Thanks
By David Walrath
SSDA urged the Legislature to adopt a balanced budget with revenue increases, fair program reductions, and fiscal reform including categorical flexibility. This budget, passed February 19, 2009, addresses those issues. These members should be recognized for voting in support of SSDA positions.
Please consider asking your Board of Trustees to pass the following resolution or a similar resolution and send it to your State Senator and/or Assembly Member if you are represented by:
Senator Abel Maldonado (R-15)
Senator Dave Cogdill (R-14)
Senator Roy Ashburn (R-18)
Assembly Member Michael Villines (R-29)
Assembly Member Roger Niello (R-05)
Assembly Member Anthony Adams (R-59)
The ______ School District, which is a small rural school district, adopts this resolution of thanks to Senator/Assembly Member __________ for his politically courageous action to put the needs of California citizens and education in front of the risk to his political career.
WHEREAS, California faced a staggering $40 billion budget shortfall caused by an unprecedented economic downturn and the failure to have achieved a structurally balanced state budget for the past eight years; and
WHEREAS, raising taxes is always difficult and, especially difficult during a recession, a compromise budget to move California forward was not possible without some tax increases; and
WHEREAS, the final budget agreement includes a cap on the rate of state budget growth and a rainy day fund which should reduce the volatility of education funding and lead to more stability and better program planning; and
WHEREAS, the budget agreement includes categorical program expenditure flexibility which allows local school districts to determine which categorical programs are higher priority for their students; and
WHEREAS, the full funding of Proposition 98 maintenance factor will be placed on the special election ballot in order to provide needed ongoing funding to restore program cuts necessitated by this budget agreement; and
WHEREAS, the _______ school district supports the provisions of this budget agreement;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the _______ school district thanks and congratulates __________ and ________ (if both your state Assembly Member and State Senator voted for the budget) for their leadership to put California first.
