[Vision2020] Letter from Rep. Trail to Governor Kempthorne on public education
Tom Hansen
thansen@moscow.com
Tue, 11 Mar 2003 06:04:09 -0800
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_006D_01C2E794.07E3F070
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Representative Trail -
You are a unique and caring representative of the people. Caring in that
you pay more than lip service to our teachers. Unique in that you are an
elected official with a backbone that is not afraid to show it once in a
while.
Take care,
Tom Hansen
UI '96
-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]On
Behalf Of Tom Trail
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 8:00 PM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Cc: Dad; ttrail@house.state.id.us
Subject: [Vision2020] Letter from Rep. Trail to Governor Kempthorne on
public education
Visionnaires: I sent the following letter to Governor Kempthorne today.
Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 6
March 10, 2003
Governor Dirk Kempthorne
Capitol
Boise, Idaho
Dear Governor Kempthorne:
In the past I've greatly appreciated your support for public education.
Our teachers are responding to the increasing demands that the State is
requiring of them in the public school classroom. In addition to their
regular teaching duties, we are now requiring teachers to carry out
additional responsibilities in the fields of technology, the Idaho Reading
Initiative, Idaho Achievement Standards and Assessment, realign the
curriculum to meet the standards, and all of the added facets of Leave No
Child Behind. In addition, the percentage of children identified for
special education programs is multiplying demands on teacher's time with
their students. They are doing all of this in a time of decreasing
resources. Their dedication and commitment needs to be recognized.
Instead, I find that this legislative session is one of the most
anti-teacher/education oriented sessions in the history of the State of
Idaho. With decreasing resources for education at all levels, all of the
stakeholders including the Legislature and your office should be working
together to strengthen our commitment to the children of the state.
President Bush articulated his admiration and support for our teachers
when he signed the Education bill last fall. He stressed that teachers need
to be supported and treated as professionals. The President indicated that
the average teacher spends more than $400/year in out-of-pocket money to
purchase classroom supplies. His response to this situation was to support
a $250 tax credit for teachers to use when they file their federal income
tax to reclaim some of the money they spend for class activities. We should
look at our President's example as an inspiration on how elected officials
should view and work with our teachers.
Instead, I find a mean spirited and vindictive Legislature attacking
teachers and the education community on all sides. The first blow was
denying teachers a simple $15 Idaho tax credit to pay for out of pocket
supplies for their classrooms. I've talked to one local Moscow teacher who
has personally paid out more than $2,000 for supplies in the past four
years.
HB329 is almost the last straw. In the House Human Resources Committee,
there were only three people who spoke out in favor of the bill -- Rep.
Lake, Sen. Davis and Mr. Deide from your office. There was no "local" or
grassroots support for the bill. The current statutes allow a union member
to request that a check-off or deduction be stopped in terms of his/her
paycheck. Under current statues any union member who is dissatisfied can
fie a complaint with the Secretary of State's office. In the past 10 years
not one complaint has been filed. So where is the problem?
Abraham Lincoln whom you've spoken about in terms of admiration once told
a colleague that the laws of the land come from the ideas, thoughts, and of
local citizens. This is the basis of good policy. Does HB329 meet
Lincoln's standard? Certainly not!! This is top down policy supported by
vested interest groups at the wrong place and the wrong time.
HB72 -- a.k.a. the union busting bill, is another clear signal in terms
of how the Legislature views the teaching profession. The list of
anti-education legislation now being proposed goes on and on - at both the
public education and higher education level. I suspect that the tenure
system at the Higher Education level will soon come under attack.
Teachers and constituents in District 6 have deluged me with communiques
this week all critical of what they view as attacks on the teaching
profession and education. Many local Republicans indicated they were
thinking of changing party affiliation. Rep. Steve Smylie best summed it up
on the House floor in his debate against HB329. He indicated that the
punitive actions of the Legislature will, no doubt, make it possible for
major Democratic gains in the 2004 elections. The seeds have been planted
and the Republican party will reap the windfall.
I urge you to come out in public and provide the leadership to bring all
of the stakeholders involved together and to help create an atmosphere and
climate more conducive to ensuring excellence in academic programs for our
children. Following President Bush's example when he spoke out for his
admiration and support for our teachers when signing the National Education
Act would be be good place to start.
Respectfully,
Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 6
------=_NextPart_000_006D_01C2E794.07E3F070
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML xmlns=3D"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:o =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1 =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"><HEAD>
<META content=3D"text/html; charset=3Dus-ascii" =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3DWord.Document name=3DProgId>
<META content=3D"MSHTML 5.00.3315.2869" name=3DGENERATOR>
<META content=3D"Microsoft Word 10" name=3DOriginator><LINK=20
href=3D"cid:filelist.xml@01C2E750.583F0440" =
rel=3DFile-List><o:SmartTagType=20
name=3D"place"=20
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagT=
ype><o:SmartTagType=20
name=3D"City"=20
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagT=
ype><o:SmartTagType=20
name=3D"State"=20
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagT=
ype><o:SmartTagType=20
name=3D"date"=20
namespaceuri=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagT=
ype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:DoNotRelyOnCSS/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:SpellingState>Clean</w:SpellingState>
<w:GrammarState>Clean</w:GrammarState>
<w:DocumentKind>DocumentEmail</w:DocumentKind>
<w:EnvelopeVis/>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]>
<STYLE>st1\:* {
BEHAVIOR: url(#default#ieooui)
}
</STYLE>
<![endif]-->
<STYLE>P.MsoNormal {
FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; =
mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"
}
LI.MsoNormal {
FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; =
mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"
}
DIV.MsoNormal {
FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; =
mso-style-parent: ""; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; =
mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"
}
A:link {
COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single
}
SPAN.MsoHyperlink {
COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single
}
A:visited {
COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single
}
SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {
COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; text-underline: single
}
P.MsoAutoSig {
FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"
}
LI.MsoAutoSig {
FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"
}
DIV.MsoAutoSig {
FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; =
mso-pagination: widow-orphan; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"
}
SPAN.EmailStyle17 {
COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-style-type: =
personal-compose; mso-style-noshow: yes; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; =
mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; =
mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial
}
SPAN.SpellE {
mso-style-name: ""; mso-spl-e: yes
}
SPAN.GramE {
mso-style-name: ""; mso-gram-e: yes
}
DIV.Section1 {
page: Section1
}
</STYLE>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */=20
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
</style>
<![endif]--></HEAD>
<BODY lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue style=3D"tab-interval: .5in" =
vLink=3Dpurple>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D844295913-11032003>Representative=20
Trail -</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844295913-11032003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D844295913-11032003>You =
are a unique=20
and caring representative of the people. Caring in that you pay =
more than=20
lip service to our teachers. Unique in that you are an elected =
official=20
with a backbone that is not afraid to show it once in a=20
while.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844295913-11032003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D844295913-11032003>Take=20
care,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D844295913-11032003></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D844295913-11032003>Tom =
Hansen</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN class=3D844295913-11032003>UI=20
'96</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: =
0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">
<DIV align=3Dleft class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> =
vision2020-admin@moscow.com=20
[mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Tom=20
Trail<BR><B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 10, 2003 8:00 PM<BR><B>To:</B>=20
vision2020@moscow.com<BR><B>Cc:</B> Dad;=20
ttrail@house.state.id.us<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Vision2020] Letter from =
Rep.=20
Trail to Governor Kempthorne on public education<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<DIV class=3DSection1>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
class=3DSpellE><FONT face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Visionnaires</SPAN></FONT></SPAN><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I sent the following letter =
to=20
Governor Kempthorne today.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Rep. Tom =
Trail/Dist.=20
6<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><st1:date =
Year=3D"2003"=20
Day=3D"10" Month=3D"3"><FONT face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">March 10,=20
2003</SPAN></FONT></st1:date><FONT face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Governor Dirk=20
Kempthorne<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Capitol<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><st1:place><st1:City><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Boise</SPAN></FONT></st1:City><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">,=20
</SPAN></FONT><st1:State><FONT face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Idaho</SPAN></FONT></st1:State></st1:place><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Dear Governor=20
Kempthorne:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the past I've =
greatly=20
appreciated your support for public education.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Our teachers are responding =
to the=20
increasing demands that the State is requiring of them in the public =
school=20
classroom.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition =
to their=20
regular teaching duties, we are now requiring teachers to carry out =
additional=20
responsibilities in the fields of technology, the Idaho Reading =
Initiative,=20
Idaho Achievement Standards and Assessment, realign the curriculum to =
meet the=20
standards, and all of the added facets of Leave No Child Behind.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In addition, the percentage =
of=20
children identified for special education programs is multiplying =
demands on=20
teacher's time with their students.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>They are doing all of this in a time of decreasing =
resources.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their dedication and =
commitment needs=20
to be recognized.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Instead, I find =
that this=20
legislative session is one of the most<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN =
class=3DGramE><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">anti-teacher/education</SPAN></FONT></SPAN><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> oriented =
sessions in the=20
history of the State of </SPAN></FONT><st1:State><st1:place><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Idaho</SPAN></FONT></st1:place></st1:State><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>With decreasing resources =
for=20
education at all levels, all of the stakeholders including the =
Legislature and=20
your office should be working together to strengthen our commitment to =
the=20
children of the state.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">President Bush =
articulated=20
his admiration and support for our teachers when he signed the =
Education bill=20
last fall.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He stressed =
that=20
teachers need to be supported and treated as professionals.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The President indicated that =
the=20
average teacher spends more than $400/year in out-of-pocket money to =
purchase=20
classroom supplies.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>His =
response=20
to this situation was to support a $250 tax credit for teachers to use =
when=20
they file their federal income tax to reclaim some of the money they =
spend for=20
class activities.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We =
should look=20
at our President's example as an inspiration on how elected officials =
should=20
view and work with our teachers.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Instead, I find =
a mean=20
spirited and vindictive Legislature attacking teachers and the =
education=20
community on all sides.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>The first=20
blow was denying teachers a simple $15=20
</SPAN></FONT><st1:State><st1:place><FONT face=3D"Courier New" =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Idaho</SPAN></FONT></st1:place></st1:State><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> tax credit to =
pay for out=20
of pocket supplies for their classrooms.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>I've talked to one local =
</SPAN></FONT><st1:City><st1:place><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Moscow</SPAN></FONT></st1:place></st1:City><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> teacher who has =
personally paid out more than $2,000 for supplies in the past four=20
years.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">HB329 is almost =
the last=20
straw.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the House =
Human=20
Resources Committee, there were only three people who spoke out in =
favor of=20
the <SPAN class=3DGramE>bill<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>--</SPAN><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rep. =
Lake, Sen.=20
Davis and Mr. <SPAN class=3DSpellE>Deide</SPAN> from your office.<SPAN =
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There was no "local" or =
grassroots=20
support for the bill.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>The current=20
statutes allow a union member to request that a check-off or deduction =
be=20
stopped in terms of his/her paycheck.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Under current statues any union member who is dissatisfied can =
fie a=20
complaint with the Secretary of State's office.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the past 10 years not one =
complaint=20
has been filed.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So =
where is the=20
problem?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Abraham Lincoln =
whom=20
you've spoken about in terms of admiration once told a colleague that =
the laws=20
of the land come from the ideas, thoughts, and of local citizens.<SPAN =
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is the basis of good =
policy.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Does HB329 meet=20
</SPAN></FONT><st1:City><st1:place><FONT face=3D"Courier New" =
size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Lincoln</SPAN></FONT></st1:place></st1:City><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">'s =
standard?<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Certainly not!!<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is top down policy =
supported by=20
vested interest groups at the wrong place and the wrong=20
time.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN=20
class=3DGramE><FONT face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">HB72<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>--</SPAN></FONT></SPAN><FONT =
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a.k.a. the union busting =
bill, is=20
another clear signal in terms of how the Legislature views the =
teaching=20
profession.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The list of =
anti-education legislation now being proposed goes on and on <SPAN=20
class=3DGramE>-<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>at</SPAN> both the=20
public education and higher education level.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I suspect that the tenure =
system at=20
the Higher Education level will soon come under=20
attack.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Teachers and =
constituents=20
in District 6 have deluged me with <SPAN =
class=3DSpellE>communiques</SPAN> this=20
week all critical of what they view as attacks on the teaching =
profession and=20
education.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many local =
Republicans=20
indicated they were thinking of changing party affiliation.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rep. Steve <SPAN=20
class=3DSpellE>Smylie</SPAN> best summed it up on the House floor in =
his debate=20
against HB329.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He =
indicated that=20
the punitive actions of the Legislature will, no doubt, make it =
possible for=20
major Democratic gains in the 2004 elections.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The seeds have been planted =
and the=20
Republican <SPAN class=3DGramE>party</SPAN> will reap the=20
windfall.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">I urge you to =
come out in=20
public and provide the leadership to bring all of the stakeholders =
involved=20
together and to help create an atmosphere and climate more conducive =
to=20
ensuring excellence in academic programs for our children.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Following President Bush's =
example=20
when he spoke out for his admiration and support for our teachers when =
signing=20
the National Education Act would be <SPAN class=3DSpellE>be</SPAN> =
good place to=20
start.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt">Respectfully,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"mso-layout-grid-align: none"><FONT=20
face=3D"Courier New" size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Rep. Tom =
Trail/Dist.=20
6<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML=
>
------=_NextPart_000_006D_01C2E794.07E3F070--