Legislative Newsletter: May 13, 2010

Arizona Education Network Newsletter Countdown to Proposition 100, Let's Get the Vote Out! May 13, 2010

Let's Get the Vote Out for Proposition 100! We've been asked by many education supporters what they can do in the final days before the May 18 election to help get the word out. Here are a few ideas, as well as contact information for organized efforts in the Tucson area: 1. HOLD SIGNS ON ELECTION DAY - Tuesday, May 18 Hold "VOTE YES TODAY ON PROPOSITION 100" signs outside of your school at drop-off and at pick-up. Remember to stand off of your school grounds. If you plan on holding a sign at your school, please sign up here with your name, the school you plan to cover and whether you will at drop-off, pick-up or both. 2. SEND EMAIL AND FACEBOOK MESSAGES to your family and friends encouraging them to vote Yes on Proposition 100. For a sample email letter, click here for a message to send your friends. 3. MAKE PHONE CALLS TO VOTERS. If you live in the Tucson area and are interested placing calls to potential voters, contact Marisela de Solis Kester with the Proposition 100 campaign in Tucson at phxmom05@gmail.com. There will be opportunities to make phone calls in the evenings and during this upcoming weekend. 4. PAINT YOUR CAR. Paint your windows with the message "Vote Yes on 100". You can buy window chalk at Michael's, ACE Hardware or your local 99-Cent store.  Have a window painting party at your next baseball game or swim practice. 5. HELP HAND OUT FLYERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATION CEREMONIES. The Arizona Student Association is looking for volunteers to help hand out Proposition 100 materials this  Saturday from  7 a.m. to 11 a.m.  If you are interested, contact David Martinez at dm3@azstudents.org.  Volunteers will meet at 7 a.m. in the ASUA offices on the third floor of the Student Union. For more information and/or ideas, visit AEN's Prop. 100 - Vote Yes Tool Kit.

As the May 18 Vote Approaches You are Making a Difference The Proposition 100 vote is less than a week away. The future of our local schools and universities hangs on the outcome of the vote on Tuesday, May 18. This has the potential to be a very close election. Every vote counts! And no matter the result, we can celebrate because thousands have found their voice once again. And it is because of you. Because of you, thousands of voters were registered in communities around Arizona. Because of you, hundreds of registered voters signed up for the permanent early voter list and will now receive their ballots at home, making voting more likely. Because of you, Arizonans are chipping away at the partisan albatross that has constrained a true, open, and honest dialogue about the state of public education. Because of you, the sleeping giant is awakening. And because of you, Arizona's students have a chance. Proposition 100 is just the beginning, the first miles in a marathon to restore a basic and solid footing for our children's future. We will get there, because of you! One example of education supporters at work. 100 STANDS for education on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

Election Day: What You Need to Know Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 18. Polling places will be limited since this is a special election. You may not be voting at your regular polling place. You also can vote early at several early voting locations. To find an early-voting location in your county or your polling place for the May 18 election, click here. If you received a ballot by mail, please remember to vote YES and send it back. You can also take your early ballot to any polling place on Election Day.

Your Proposition 100 Questions Answered - Recap Here are the top questions we've been hearing regarding Proposition 100 and the answers that we have published. If you hear any of these questions raised, please provide answers so potential voters will have a better understanding of Proposition 100. Is it true that the one-cent temporary sales tax will cost the average Arizona family $400 a year?An Arizona family of four would have to spend $40,000 dollars a year on sales-taxable items for that to be the case.  According to the US Census American Community Survey of State Median Income by Family Size in the past twelve months (2008 inflation adjusted dollars) the median income of a four-person Arizona family was $69,452.  Considering that many expenses such as mortgages and services are exempt from sales tax, it is highly unlikely that the average Arizona family would pay anywhere near $400 more in sales taxes. Won't the money raised by Proposition 100 just 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 was discussed, no corporate tax cut bill emerged this legislative session. Why are some people saying Proposition 100 is really an 18% increase? The 18% refers to the increase in the current tax rate of 5.6% to the proposed rate of 6.6% (if Proposition 100 passes).  That is a simple mathematical difference of  17.85%. By calling Proposition 100 an 18% increase; opponents have created the misperception that the increase is really 18 cents on the dollar.  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 one hundred dollars you would pay an additional one dollar, not an additional eighteen dollars. Related Articles: Proposition 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase - Your Questions Answered (Updated 4/24/2010) Op Ed: Vote Yes on Prop. 100, the One-Cent-Sales-Tax Increase

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! ______________________

_________________________ May 18, 2010 Special Election for Prop. 100 - Temporary 1% Sales Tax Prop. 100 Facts     Without the temporary sales tax, more than $420 million in K-12 funding will be cut.     Prop. 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 Prop. 100: The 1% Temporary Sales Tax Increase-Your Questions Answered Arizona Education Network Voter Guide: Important Dates, Information, and Resources _________________________

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Speaks Out on the State of Education in Arizona

"Is the state proud to that it's 49th in investment in education?" Secretary Duncan asked. "I don't know that that's something I'd be proud of.... If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.... We have to educate our way to a better economy." To view the entire interview, click here.

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Contact Arizona's U.S. Congressional Delegation and Urge them to Sponsor and Support the Keep Our Educators Working Act (S. 3206) The Education Commission of the States estimates that this federal legislation to save our schools could bring $406 million to Arizona K-12 and higher education.  For details 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 18.     Vote for pro-education candidates in the primary election, Tuesday, August 24.     Vote for pro-education candidates in the general election, Tuesday, November 2. Helpful Links: Arizona Education Network Voter Guide; Find your Legislator

Check us out at:     www.arizonaeducationnetwork.com     Follow us on Twitter, AZEducationNet     Join us on Facebook! Interested in having the Arizona Education Network speak at your school or community group event? 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.