Legislative Newsletter: April 27, 2010

Arizona Education Network Newsletter Proposition 100 Under Attack: Check Out the Facts Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Proposition 100 Under Attack: Check Out the Facts With the start of early voting on April 22, opponents of Proposition 100 - the temporary one-percent sales tax increase - have stepped up their attacks. The Arizona Education Network supports Proposition 100 not because we think it is the answer to the budget issues affecting our state, but because it is a bridge that buys us time to allow the Arizona economy to rebound and to begin the reform of the state's tax structure. Some argue that the defeat of Proposition 100 would force the Arizona legislature to "do their job" and find a better way to close our budget deficit. We have been assured by those in the majority party that the defeat of Proposition 100, which dedicates two-thirds of revenues to education, would be viewed as a vote against education funding and would encourage further cuts to a system that already ranks last in the nation in per-child funding. When you hear the following anti-Prop 100 arguments, we want you to be armed with the facts. So let's look at the arguments against Proposition 100 and see how they stack up. It's really an 18% increase in sales tax. This is not only a scare tactic - it's bad math. Proposition 100 is a one-percent sales tax increase or one-cent on each dollar spent - ONE PENNY! If you purchase a DVD player for $100 you would pay an additional $1 not an additional $18. Arizonans can't afford to pay any more taxes. If Proposition 100 does not pass, Arizonans could pay more in permanent property taxes. Why is that? The Department of Corrections will shift prisoners to county jails which do not have the capacity right now to house them. Counties will have to increase property taxes in order to fund new jail cell construction. So what this really boils down to is: Do you want to pay a temporary, three-year tax to support school children, public safety and health and human services or a permanent property tax to build more jail cells? The Legislature will just choose to extend the sales tax. No tax is temporary. If voters pass Proposition 100, it will automatically repeal in three years. This language will be written into the state Constitution if it passes. It would take a two-thirds majority for legislators to extend the sales tax. The fact that Arizona has cut taxes in sixteen of the past eighteen years and the fact that legislators could not muster the two-thirds majority to increase the sales tax themselves, argue strongly against the possibility that legislators would have the votes or the inclination to reinstate this tax. Sales taxes are regressive. Rejecting the sales tax would put other options back on the table. We agree that sales taxes are regressive. However at the moment a sales tax increase is the only revenue option we've been given. Remember that it takes a two-thirds super-majority to raise revenue in Arizona. Our legislators couldn't even pass the sales tax increase themselves. They could barely agree to refer it to the voters. It would be unrealistic to believe that the current legislature would somehow see the fiscally responsible "light" and find a fairer way to raise revenue if Proposition 100 were defeated. What Proposition 100 does is buy us time to come up with more permanent solutions. Also, remember, all these legislators are up for election in the August 24, 2010 primary and November 2, 2010 general election. The amount from the sales tax apportioned to primary and secondary education is $600 million but there is only $428 million in conditional cuts to K-12 education in the FY2011 budget if Proposition 100 is defeated. This is not some kind of bait-and-switch tactic as suggested by opponents of Proposition 100. It is simply the result of the choices made from where to cut in the conditional budget - the budget that was prepared and passed in case Proposition 100 fails on May 18. The initial estimate in cuts to K-12 was closer to $600 million. However when the state's conditional budget was drafted there was such an outcry from constituents and stakeholders over the cuts to K-12 that the Legislature responded by lessening the cuts to K-12. Instead they apportioned an additional cut of $107 million to universities, $15 million to community colleges and the balance of $50 million to health and human services. Keep in mind that the contingent budget that would be put in place if Proposition 100 fails includes cuts so drastic that the state would lose millions of dollars in federal matching funds. This loss of federal funds would far outweigh the savings to the state from the cuts. If Proposition 100 fails, the legislature will likely return to address these issues regardless of the conditional budget. If Proposition 100 is approved the beneficiaries will be education, public safety and health and human services. Money raised by Proposition 100 will be shifted to pay for corporate tax cuts. Money raised by the one-cent sales tax increase is mandated to go to education, health and human services and public safety. While a corporate tax cut is being discussed, the latest information we have is that it has been significantly reduced in scope and the governor is threatening to veto the corporate tax cut if it overlaps with the period of the sales tax increase (i.e. it cannot begin until after May 31, 2013). Proposition 100 is the bridge we need to give our state the opportunity to recover economically and formulate a long term plan to reform our tax structure. The passage of the temporary one-percent sales tax is vital to keep our public education, health and human services and public safety from being decimated. It is vital that we generate this revenue during these dire economic times. We urge you to VOTE YES for the economic future of Arizona.

Contribute online today via PayPal Or mail your check to: The Arizona Education Network 4728 East Sunrise Drive, #210 Tucson, AZ 85718 Thank you for your support! ______________________

_________________________ "The Current Budget Crisis in Education and How it will Impact Your Family" Sponsored by the Arizona Education Network and the Marana Foundation for Educational Excellence with keynote speaker Dr. Doug Wilson, Superintendent of Marana Unified School District Wednesday, April 28, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Mountain View High School Auditorium 3901 West Linda Vista Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85742 Map here. _________________________

_________________________ May 18, 2010 Special Election for Proposition 100 - Temporary 1% Sales Tax Proposition 100 Facts Without the temporary sales tax, as much as one-quarter of all public education funding could be cut. This could mean 1.5 to 2 out of every 10 teacher positions may be eliminated. Proposition 100 will devote two-thirds of revenues generated to education funding and one-third to health and human services and public safety. The tax will automatically repeal on May 31, 2013. It would take a two-thirds vote of the legislature or another voter proposition to keep the tax increase in place. For more information see Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered Last Day to Request an Early Ballot is May 7, 2010 Arizona Education Network Voter Guide: Important Dates, Information, and Resources _________________________

Early Voting Has Started Early voting for Proposition 100 began on April 22, 2010. If you received a ballot by mail, please remember to vote YES and send it back. You can request an early ballot to be sent to your home until May 7, 2010. To find out how to request an early ballot, click here. You can vote at your polling place on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. Because this is a special election, polling locations will be limited, and you may not be voting at your usual location. To contact your county election board to find your polling location for the May 18, 2010 Proposition 100 election, click here.

Community Leaders Discuss Proposition 100 On Thursday, April 22, 2010 the Arizona Education Network sponsored a community-wide forum on Proposition 100. Seven distinguished panelists from vital sectors in Pima County spoke of the fiscal, human and educational impact of Proposition 100 at the community level in Southern Arizona. The panelists included: Dr. Nic Clement, Flowing Wells Superintendent, Co-Chair of the Tucson School Superintendents' Collaborative Rainer W.G. Gruessner, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Arizona Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Administrator Penelope Jacks,Children's Action Alliance, Southern Arizona Director Sue Krahe, Our Family Services Director Stephen MacCarthy, University of Arizona, Vice President for External Relations Ron Shoopman, President of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council . Each of the panelists' presentations echoed a similar theme: Proposition 100 is a temporary band-aid that will protect public education, public safety, and health and human services - programs that are vital to Arizona's economic future. To read a summary and/or watch the forum, click here.

Three steps you can take to support public education in Arizona: Vote,Vote,Vote Vote YES on Prop. 100, the sales tax referendum, Tuesday, May 18th. Vote for pro-education candidates in the primary election, Tuesday, August 24th. Vote for pro-education candidates in the general election, Tuesday, November 2nd. Helpful Links: Arizona Education Network Voter Guide; Find your Legislator

PS. Check us out at: www.arizonaeducationnetwork.com Follow us on Twitter, AZEducationNet Join us on Facebook! The Arizona Education Network is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that provides factual information and advocates for public education.

AEN Prop. 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit

For ideas and resources you need to effectively get the word out in your community on Proposition 100 - the TEMPORARY 1% sales tax increase - check out AEN's Proposition 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit!

Legislative Newsletter April 18, 2010

Arizona Education Network Who Is to Blame and Your Chance to Act! Sunday, April 18, 2010

Who Is To Blame For Cuts At Your School? Many school districts released budget proposals last week that contained substantial cuts to programs and teaching positions. The tendency when parents are unhappy with the school budget is to blame their superintendents and school boards. These are not the people responsible for the cuts at your schools. The Arizona Legislature is responsible. On March 24, 2010, AEN released a report titled "2009 Legislative Sessions: Education Funding Voting Record by Legislator." Please check out your legislators' record on funding public education. In 2009, 40 of the state's 90 legislators voted against public education funding 100% of the time. Even if Proposition 100 passes, Arizona schools will experience funding cuts.  While it is important to pass the temporary sales tax to avoid devastating cuts until our state's economy stabilizes, remember that all our legislators will be up for election on November 2, 2010.  Even more important, primary elections - where many of the seats are decided - take place on August 24. Hold your elected officials accountable! Related Articles: What Happens In Your School If Prop. 100 Fails: Contingent Cuts to Arizona School Districts Prop. 100: Conditional Impact on Arizona Universities Passage of Proposition 100 Will Save 13,000 Jobs, UA Study Predicts

Tomorrow is Your LAST Chance to Register to Vote! In order to vote for Proposition 100, you must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday, April, 19, 2010.  If you have not yet registered or want to receive your ballot at home, click here. Have you moved recently? You MUST re-register every time you move. Please forward this e-mail to your friends to make sure they are registered to vote in this important election. Thank you!

AEN Proposition 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit! The AEN Proposition 100 Tool Kit is full of ideas, suggestions, and resources for getting the word out in your community about Proposition 100.  There are a variety of ways you can effectively advocate for your schools, including making signs, holding window decorating rallies, and more.  These activities can be limited to your immediate family or you can recruit an entire neighborhood or school community. Get your AEN Proposition 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit by clicking here. Parents across the state are coming together and organizing a number of "Yes on 100" events. To locate a group in your area, click here. Have a group and don't see it on the list?  Please send your group's contact information to melissa@arizonaeducationnetwork.com and we'll gladly add it.

Arizona Public Media Debate: "Arizona Sales Tax: Fix or Folly?" On Sunday, April 11, Ann-Eve Pedersen, president of the Arizona Education Network, and Farrell Quinlan of the National Federation of Independent Businesses squared off in a debate on Proposition 100 - the temporary 1% sales tax increase. To view the debate, click here.

Tell Congress We Need Help to Save Teacher Jobs In the wake of massive teacher lay-offs around the country, the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa has proposed the Keep Our Educators Working Act - a $23 billion jobs fund to prevent teachers from being fired because of budget shortfalls.  Contact Arizona's Congressional delegation and urge them to support this proposal! To contact your U.S. Representative or Senator, click here. To read the text of the bill, click here.

Take Action NOW! If you want to change the status quo, you have to get involved!  Forward this email to ten  (10) family members and friends today and ask them to join the Arizona Education Network! Membership is free. Our strength is in our numbers and we need all hands on deck.

_________________________ Come to a Community-Wide Proposition 100 Forum Sponsored by The Arizona Education Network Thursday, April 22 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.Tucson Association of Realtors Conference Room 2445 N. Tucson Blvd (Just north of Grant) Get directions here. Panelists Include: Dr. Nic Clement, Head of the Tucson School Superintendents' Collaborative Rainer W.G. Gruessner, M.D., Chairman of the Department of Surgery, University of Arizona Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Administrator Penelope Jacks, Children's Action Alliance, Southern Arizona Director Sue Krahe, Our Family Services Director Stephen MacCarthy, University of Arizona, Vice-President for External Relations Ron Shoopman, President of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council A One-Hour Audience Question and Answer Period Will Follow the Panelists' Presentation. _________________________

May 18, 2010 Special Election for Proposition 100 - Temporary 1% Sales Tax Proposition 100 Facts    Without the temporary sales tax, as much as one-quarter of all public education funding could be cut. This could mean the equivalent of 1.5 to 2 out of every 10 teacher positions could be eliminated.     Proposition 100 will devote two-thirds of revenues generated to education funding and one-third to health and human services and public safety.     The tax will automatically repeal on May 31, 2013. It would take a two-thirds vote of the legislature or another voter proposition to keep the tax increase in place. For more information see Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered Arizona Education Network Voter Guide: Important Dates, Information, and Resources _________________________

Three steps you can take to support public education in Arizona: Vote,Vote,Vote Vote YES on Prop. 100, the sales tax referendum, Tuesday, May 18th.     Vote for pro-education candidates in the primary election, Tuesday, August 24th.     Vote for pro-education candidates in the general election, Tuesday, November 2nd. Helpful Links: Arizona Education Network Voter Guide; Find your Legislator

__________________________ Will you help us reach our goal? Fundraising Ideas Contribute online today via PayPal Or mail your check to: The Arizona Education Network 4728 East Sunrise Drive, #210 Tucson, AZ 85718 Thank you for your support! ______________________

P.S. Check us out at:     www.arizonaeducationnetwork.com     Follow us on Twitter, twitter.com/AZEducationNet     Join us on Facebook! P.S.S. Interested in having the Arizona Education Network speak at your school or community group?  Email us at outreach@arizonaeducationnetwork.com for information and dates. The Arizona Education Network is a non-partisan, all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that provides factual information and advocates for public education.

Tucson Community-Wide Forum on Proposition 100 Thursday, April 22!

Come to a Community-Wide Forum

on Proposition 100

sponsored by

the Arizona Education Network

Thursday, April 22

6 to 8 p.m.

at the Tucson Association of Realtors Conference Room

2445 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson 

(520) 327-4218

Panelists will include:

Nic Clement, Flowing Wells Superintendent and head of the local School Superintendents’ Collaborative

Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County Administrator

Rainer W.G. Gruessner, M.D., Chairman, UA Department of Surgery

Penelope Jacks, Children Action Alliance, Southern Arizona director

Sue Krahe, Our Family Services director

Stephen MacCarthy, University of Arizona Vice-President for External Relations

Ron Shoopman, President of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council

After the panelists give their presentations, they will answer questions from the audience.

The success or failure of Prop. 100 will have widespread consequences for the entire community, affecting not just your neighborhood school but also your property taxes, emergency room waits, job losses and the affordability of a university education.

Arizona Education Network Forums in the Amphitheater School District: Videos

Below is a series of videos filmed during the Arizona Education Network forums in the Amphitheater School District, April 5 - 7, 2010. For links to the budget presentations by Dr. Vicki Balentine and CFO, Scott Little, click here.

Please note: Due to processing errors out of our control, some of the videos begin with sound and no picture for the first few seconds of play.  The picture comes back in all cases near the one minute mark, with the rest of the video playing fine.  We apologize for the inconvenience.



Arizona Education Network Presentation by Melissa Megna, Co-Founder of AEN



Ironwood Ridge High School Senior Answers AEN's Question: "How has Your Experience at Your High School Benefited You and Prepared You for the Future?"



State of Public Education Funding Presentation by Scott Little, CFO Amphitheater School District


Part 1 of 3: Amphitheater School District 2010-2011 Budget Presentation by Dr. Vicki Balentine, Amphitheater Superintendent



Part 2 of 3: 2010-2011 Amphitheater Budget



Part 3 of 3: 2010-2011 Amphitheater Budget


Part 1 of 3: Q&A with Dr. Balentine & Mr. Little



Part 2 of 3: Q&A with Dr. Balentine & Mr. Little



Part 3 of 3: Q&A with Dr. Balentine & Mr. Little


Check out our YouTube Channel AZEducationNetwork!

Want to be a school board member?

AZ Public Media Debate: "Arizona Sales Tax: Fix or Folly?"

For information on Proposition 100, click here.

"Walk the Vote, Rock the Vote" for Prop 100 a Success for Vail Parents & Education Supporters

From Kristi H. of PAVE:

The PAVE group (Parent Advocates of Vail for Education) did their "Walk the Vote, Rock the Vote" event in Vail on Saturday, April 10 [a grassroots, door-to-door campaign to educate voters on the May 18 Special Election for Proposition 100, the temporary 1% sales tax]. KGUN 9 covered the event and aired it at 5pm. Although we only got a brief mention, it was good exposure for the cause.

We covered about half of the Vail School District area Saturday with a total of about 100 volunteers. Rock on, Vail!!! Most volunteers had great success spreading the word about Prop 100 to receptive homeowners. There were a few people who said they were planning to vote no, but most people were supportive.

We feel very good about Saturday's results, but the fight isn't over yet! Over the next weeks leading up to the election, we would like to have phone banks, another walk, and mailers, and continue to spread the word over email and social networking sites as well as by phone and face-to-face interactions.

Saturday's event proves that parents have a strong voice and we will continue to be heard!!! :)

If you are or know of a Vail parent/resident who is looking for more information on how to get involved in supporting Vail schools and/or Prop 100, visit: http://www.citizensofvaileducation.info/.

For more information on the May 18 Special Election for Proposition 100, visit: Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax -- Your Questions Answered!

Reminder: April 19th at midnight is your last chance to register to vote in the May 18 Special Election on Proposition 100!  To learn more about registering to vote, click here. 

Passage of Proposition 100 Will Save 13,000 Jobs, UA Study Predicts

On May 18, Arizonans will vote on whether to approve Proposition 100, a temporary one-cent increase to the state sales tax that will help address the state’s budget deficit.

A new study by researchers at the Economic and Business Research Center at the University of Arizona finds that a yes vote on Proposition 100 would save more than 13,000 jobs and preserve more than $442 million in federal matching funds for Arizona.

Proposition 100, sent to the ballot by the Arizona State Legislature, asks voters to raise the state sales tax by one penny to to 6.6 cents per dollar for a three-year period. The sales tax would revert to 5.6% on May 31, 2013. Estimates provided by Gov. Jan Brewer’s office indicate the sales tax would generate $918 million in revenue each year.

The researchers concluded the revenue would provide significant economic activity throughout the state.

“Those dollars don’t disappear,” said Alberta Charney, senior research economist at the UA. “The government spends the money, thereby pumping it right back into the economy.”

The Arizona State Legislature has already passed, and Gov. Brewer has signed, more than $867 million in cuts to education, public safety, health care and other state services if Proposition 100 does not pass. In this case, the Arizona university system would face a $107 million budget reduction, $42 million of which would go to the UA.

These cuts, the study found, also would trigger the loss of more than $442 million in federal matching funds, which are primarily allocated to the Department of Health and the Department of Economic Security. “The extent of the federal dollars being lost was a surprise,” Charney said.

Charney and her colleagues reviewed state agency budgets in detail to examine how funds are spent. They used a model that tracks the nature of spending by state agencies, projections of revenue generated by Proposition 100 and proposed budget cuts.

According to Charney, many of the jobs that would be saved are in the private sector, which would benefit from the increase in individual and agency expenditures made possible by the funds generated by the sales tax.

The researchers cite three primary reasons that a cut in the state government budget would generate a greater impact than an increase in the sales tax rate.

First, the government is a service provider and, generally, employs more people per $1 million in expenditures than do non-service providers. Consequently, a larger portion of government expenditures is paid as labor income than other sectors of the economy.

Second, more than 10 percent of the sales tax would be paid by out-of-state visitors.

Finally, the sales tax would be imposed primarily on the sale of tangible goods, few of which are actually produced in Arizona.

Even if Proposition 100 passes, the state faces a massive budget deficit that will require additional major cuts.

“You don’t grow your way out of this structural deficit as the economy recovers,” said Marshall Vest, director of the UA Economic and Business Research Center. “This is an important first step to addressing this structural deficit.”

The study does not account for additional impacts of dramatic cuts to K-12 and higher education, public safety and other state services–all of which are likely should Proposition 100 fail.

“We only looked at the flow of the money. We didn’t look at the long-term consequences of a drastically cut education system,” Charney said.

Vest believes voters will have an opportunity to communicate the value they place on services provided by the state: “I think we are the point where taxpayers are going to have the opportunity to connect the dots between the taxes they pay and the benefits they receive.”

CONTACT: Alberta Charney (520-621-2291; acharney@eller.arizona.edu)

LINKS:
What Will It Cost If Arizona Voters Reject the One-Cent Sales Tax Hike On May 18, 2010?

Sales Tax Increase vs. Expenditure Cuts: An Economic Impact Study

Comparison of UA, REMI, and STAMP Simulations of Tax/Spending Increases

Related Articles:
Proposition 100 — Your Questions Answered

Proposition 100 Debate/Panel Discussion: April 11, 2010

Proposition 100 Debate/Panel Discussion

April 11, 2010 at 6:30 pm

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KUAT-TV is sponsoring a debate/panel discussion on Proposition 100 called "Arizona's Sales Tax: Fix or Folly" at 6:30 p.m. this Sunday, April 11, at the Stevie Eller Dance Theater, 1713 E. University Blvd. (On the UA Mall, just west of Campbell.)
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Representing the pro-temporary sales tax view is Ann-Eve Pedersen from the Arizona Education Network, with the opposing view represented by Farrell Quinlan, the Arizona State Director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Stan Reynolds, Vice Dean of the Eller College of Management, will also participate as a neutral economist.

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Confirmed media panelists for the forum include Jim Nintzel from the Tucson Weekly, Linda Valdez of the Arizona Republic and Tom McNamara from KVOA-TV Channel 4. Bill Buckmaster from Arizona Illustrated will moderate the forum.


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Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited and on a first come basis.

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The public can ask questions during the event as well as submit them in advance by emailing
questions@AZpublicmedia.org and online at the Arizona Public Media Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/azpublicmedia.


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The forum will be broadcast live on PBS World Channel 27.3 (Cox 83 and Comcast 203). It will also stream live on the web at http://ondemand.azpm.org/live/
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Legislative Newsletter April 6, 2010

Arizona Education Network Find Out What Happens in Your School District if Prop. 100 Fails Tuesday, April 6, 2010

What Happens In Your School District If Prop 100 Fails: Contingent Cuts to Arizona School Districts Do you know how your school district will be affected if Prop. 100 - the temporary one percent sales tax - passes or fails? Now you can find out. In order to show the direct impact of potential cuts to school districts if Prop. 100 fails, Governor Brewer's Office recently released a report that provides a district-by-district estimate of the impact of legislative budget cuts on Arizona school districts for the 2010-11 school year. The report shows both the cuts that will occur if Prop. 100 passes and the estimates of additional cuts for each school district if Prop. 100 fails on May 18. If Prop. 100 fails, traditional public schools can expect a total funding cut of $748,775,148. Public charter schools can expect a $63,663,047 total funding cut. To find out how your school district or public charter may be impacted, click here. Related articles: Proposition 100: The TEMPORARY 1% Sales Tax Increase - Your Questions Answered!

_________________________ May 18, 2010 Special Election for Proposition 100 - Temporary 1% Sales Tax Proposition 100 Facts Without the temporary sales tax, as much as one-quarter of all public education funding could be cut. This could mean 1.5 to 2 out of every 10 teacher positions may be eliminated. Proposition 100 will devote two-thirds of revenues generated to education funding and one-third to health and human services and public safety. The tax will automatically repeal on May 31, 2013. It would take a two-thirds vote of the legislature or another voter proposition to keep the tax increase in place. For more information see Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered Last Day to Register to Vote April 19, 2010 Arizona Education Network Voter Guide: Important Dates, Information, and Resources _________________________

Learn More -- Find a Budget and/or Prop. 100 Forum near YOU! The Arizona Education Network and other parent organizations are sponsoring or speaking at several upcoming public forums about the state of education funding and the local impact of Prop. 100. Please take a moment to find a forum near you! If you do not see a forum in your community and would like our help to organize one, please send us an email at outreach@arizonaeducationnetwork.com. If you would like AEN to list your school and/or organization's budget and/or Prop. 100 forum on our next newsletter and our website, please email the information to jen@arizonaeducationnetwork.com. Arizona Education Network Forums in the Amphitheater School District Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Ironwood Ridge High School 2475 West Naranja Drive Oro Valley, AZ Map available here. Wednesday April 7, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Amphitheater High School, Auditorium 125 West Yavapai Tucson, AZ Map Available here. Higley Community Event for Prop. 100 Tuesday, April 6, 7 p.m. Higley Center for the Performing Arts 4132 East Pecos Road Gilbert, AZ 85295 Map available here. KUAT-TV Televised Forum on Prop. 100 Sunday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. Stevie Eller Dance Theatre University of Arizona campus (on the UA Mall, just west of Campbell) The League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson & the Catalina Methodist Church Committee on Church, Society and Mission Prop. 100 Forum Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m. Catalina Methodist Church, in the Fellowship Hall 2700 East Speedway Boulevard Tucson, AZ 85716 Map available here. Arizona Education Network Forum in the Flowing Wells Unified School District Thursday, April 15, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Flowing Wells High School, Auditorium 3725 North Flowing Wells Road Tucson, AZ 85705 Map available here. Impact of the Arizona Budget on Public Education: Kyrene Elementary, Tempe Elementary & Tempe Union High School Districts, sponsored by the Parent Network Tuesday, April 20, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Compadre High School 500 West Guadalupe Road Tempe, AZ 85283 Map available here. Arizona Education Network Community Forum to discuss the impact of Prop. 100 on public education, universities, police, fire and public health Thursday, April 22, details TBA

_________________________ Are you interested in becoming a member of your school board? The Arizona School Board Association is sponsoring two informational webinars, covering what it takes to run for and serve on an Arizona school board. Saturday, April 17, 10 - 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, 6 - 7 p.m. To reserve your virtual seat for this informative event, visit www.azsba.org and click the "Running for School Board Webinar" link. Serving on a school board is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs you'll ever undertake. If you're considering a run for your school board, you want to take advantage of this opportunity! _________________________

The Arizona Education Network Needs YOUR Help! Last week, we sent out a fundraising appeal to help us pay for upcoming outreach events and operating expenses. Since then, we've received over $1,500. Thank you to all who contributed to this generous start! We still have a way to go to reach our goal of $25,000. If you haven't already, please consider making a donation online by clicking here, or you can make a check payable to The Arizona Education Network and mail it to: The Arizona Education Network 4729 East Sunrise Drive, #210 Tucson, AZ 85718 All contributions are greatly appreciated. If you have already contributed, thank you! Because we are a 501 (c)(4) non-profit organization, contributions are not tax-deductible.

Will you help us reach our goal? Contribute online today via PayPal Or mail your check to: The Arizona Education Network 4728 East Sunrise Drive, #210 Tucson, AZ 85718 Thank you for your support! ______________________

_________________________ Interested in having the Arizona Education Network speak at your school or community group? Email us at outreach@arizonaeducationnetwork.com for information and dates. _________________________

Three steps you can take to support public education in Arizona: Vote,Vote,Vote Vote YES on Prop. 100, the sales tax referendum, Tuesday, May 18th. Vote for pro-education candidates in the primary election, Tuesday, August 24th. Vote for pro-education candidates in the general election, Tuesday, November 2nd. Helpful Links: Arizona Education Network Voter Guide; Find your Legislator