Spread the word that this Friday, March 19, is Pink Friday, the day IEA members statewide want to make sure everyone remembers that public education is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis that, unless sanity prevails, could cost 17,000 education employees their jobs. Read more about the event.
At the IEA Representative Assembly on Friday, we expect to see the two top candidates for governor, Democrat Pat Quinn and Republican Bill Brady on the same stage for the first time since their respective nominations. It’s important that those two see a lot of pink, since one of them will be the next governor and will be charged with solving the crisis that has public education and essential state service providers on the ropes.
One percent: it’s not enough, but its a start
Governor Quinn surprised just about everyone last week by calling for a one percentage point increase in the state income tax (from 3 to 4 percent) to benefit education.
The proposal absolutely reflects the fact that cutting education is considered politically risky, unlike cutting almost anything else. Facing 17,000 layoffs, IEA strongly supports the governor’s tax plan. However, just as strongly, IEA is calling for passage of a comprehensive tax reform bill that will address the needs of the state well beyond education. HB 174 looks pretty good right now.
It’s clear the governor needs support to pass a tax hike. H e was hammed Monday night on Chicago TV over the proposal but held his ground on the education tax increase and rejected a suggestion from the business community that benefits for current pension plan participants be reduced. See the video.
Watch this space: Very soon, we’ll be announcing a plan for making sure the members of the General Assembly get that message when they are back home during the upcoming spring break.
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