Upwards of 20,000 educators are expected to be laid-off this summer because of the state legislature’s inability to pass a fair funding bill. Almost 900 pink slipped members from the Edwardsville Regional Office are doing something about it. They have become what I call, The Pink Slip Brigade.
The Brigade’s goal? To impress on their legislators the devastation that is being caused by not passing a real budget.
I don’t use the word, devastation, lightly. The stories that Brigade members are sharing describe how the failure to pass a tax increase will affect all aspects of their lives. Their personal stories include information about their families and their personal finances.
These members’ stories go deeper, showing that their loss impacts everyone in their communities. These cuts affect the quality of education in areas that are already struggling with low real estate tax revenues and other financial problems. The cuts will grow into a downward spiral as those losing their jobs stop shopping in local stores, increase debt, and, ultimately loose their houses through foreclosure. What is really ironic is that, as their problems increase, so will their needs for assistance from the state, putting more pressure on the state’s finances. Hopefully, the legislators will finally realize that the impact is not only on the individuals, but on all of the legislator’s constituents.
Each Brigade member is scheduled to call their legislator 3 times. The first call went out when the pink slips were handed out. The script went something like this:
“I live in your district along with my spouse and one child. My mortgage is $1200 per month and I have to pay a $500 per month car payment. I also am paying back my student loan at $250 per month. I will be out of work May 26 and, after that, will have no income to tax. You are my representative. I need your help.”
The next time the member calls will be on his or her last day of work. The new script will say, “I am your constituent and today was my last day of work. The script will go on as before, ending again with, “You are my representative. I need your help.”
Assuming that the member is still out of work on the first day of school, s/he will call one more time saying, “I wanted to bring you up to date. I am your constituent. I was laid off from my teaching/support staff position in May and I am still not employed. You are my representative. I need your help. ”
The Edwardsville folk hope that such actions will keep the school funding issue on the front burner for their legislators through the summer. It is a simple plan, and can be followed anywhere in the state. Have you received your pink slip? Why not call your legislator now to let them know about it?
For more information, call the Edwardsville Regional Office