Dunleavy VETOS Education $, Contact Your Legislators NOW!
Dear Education Advocates,
Governor Dunleavy has once again put petty politics ahead of the wellbeing of Alaska’s students, schools and workforce by vetoing HB57, the education bill that increases the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by $700 and includes requested policy changes.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Before the legislative session ends on Wednesday, May 21st, the Legislature will convene in a joint session to vote on a veto override.
We need all 48 members of the legislature who voted for HB 57 to stand behind their commitment to our schools and vote to override the Governor’s veto.
SOME CONTEXT:
A $700 increase to the BSA is not too much to ask: If the amount was adjusted to keep up with inflation since 2011 the increase would be $1808, double what was included in HB 57.
If the legislature fails to override the veto, it could amount to $680 per student cut to school budgets for next year.
This is a compromise bill that is immediately necessary to stop more school closures, slashed programs and cuts to staff.
A QUICK REMINDER ON HOW THE PROCESS WORKS:
In Alaska a 2/3 majority (40 votes) is required to override a veto of legislation - like HB 57 - which changes the statute (law). Imagine that the state gives each school district a bucket of money to fund their schools. HB 57 makes that bucket bigger. We need this bigger bucket.
However, the state still needs to fill that bucket with money. A second appropriations bill containing the state operating budget fills the bucket. Alaska’s rules require a 3/4 majority (45 votes) to override an appropriations veto, which the Governor could still do.
A veto on this second piece of legislation - the appropriations bill - wouldn’t likely happen until mid-June. At that point the legislature will no longer be in session. They could call a special session to vote on a veto override this summer. Or they could wait until January, at which point it will be far too late for schools to hire the teachers, purchase supplies, and do all of the other things needed to provide our future workforce with a quality education.
If the legislators who voted to support HB 57 stay strong and vote to override the Governor’s veto now, it makes it less likely that the Governor will veto education funding in the appropriations bill.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY and urge them to stand firm on education funding. Find who represents you and their number at www.akleg.gov or see below for their email and how they voted.
BUT WHAT ABOUT EDUCATION REFORM?
Have you heard rhetoric from Governor Dunleavy about reform education? Let’s be clear, this is not a sincere effort to improve the quality of education in Alaska. It is a naked ploy by the Governor to pander to the politicians in DC for a new job. Consider that:
The Governor has been gone from Juneau 95% of the last 115 days of the legislative session, according to Senator Cathy Giessel’s latest newsletter. If the Governor was truly interested in reforming education policy, he would show up at the negotiation table, not just the veto-signing party.
This veto hurts correspondence school, charter school, and neighborhood school students in equal measure. (When the education funding bucket gets bigger, all students benefit.)
Thanks for continuing to keep the pressure on!
- The Education Cabal, AKA Alaska’s Education Special Interests, AKA People Who Care about Kids, Schools, and the Future of Our State, AKA the Great Alaska Schools volunteer team.
Here's how legislators voted on HB 57 - click or copy-paste to email them
YES votes on HB 57 - STAND BEHIND YOUR VOTE &
Message: For the sake of our kids and Alaska's future, please stand-up to Governor Dunleavy and stand behind your vote for HB 57 by voting to override the veto. Our schools need to know they can hire teachers, purchase supplies and be ready for the first day of school. Working families need to know that the State is willing to invest in our future. We need you to ensure that Alaska's education infrastructure does not collapse before school starts this fall.
Senators:
Sen.Elvi.Gray-Jackson@akleg.gov
Sen.Bill.Wielechowski@akleg.gov
Representatives:
Rep.Rebecca.Himschoot@akleg.gov
Rep.Justin.Ruffridge@akleg.gov
Rep.Jubilee.Underwood@akleg.gov
NO votes on HB 57 - DO BETTER!!
Message: For the sake of our kids and Alaska's future, please stand-up to Governor Dunleavy and stand behind your vote for HB 57 by voting to override his veto. Our schools need to know they can hire teachers, purchase supplies and be ready for the first day of school. Working families need to know that the State is willing to invest in our future. It is up to you to ensure that Alaska's education infrastructure does not collapse before school starts this fall.
Senators:
Representatives:
