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August 4, 2004

NSBA's summer campaign to cut the Federal Education Tax

We know, we know. Summer is supposed to be a time for relaxing. For vacations. For sipping lemonade. Well, NSBA wants you to interrupt your summer break just momentarily and do something that will make a lasting difference for America's schoolchildren—and help out the taxpayers in your community at the same time. We need you to help us by volunteering to write a letter, recruit people, contact your senators and representatives, talk to reporters and get the message out to your community that Congress is increasing your school taxes by not paying for the programs it has mandated. Take part in our campaign to urge Congress to meet specific goals to increase education funding and reduce the Federal Education Tax about which BoardBuzz has been reporting.

NSBA wants Congress to increase Title I funding by $2.5 billion and increase IDEA funding by $2.2 billion as an important step toward meeting the federal government's long-promised, but never-met, commitment to fund 40 percent of the cost per pupil for special education. Both increases will be a step in the right direction for Congress to reduce the Federal Education Tax it inflicts on local communities when it fails to fund federal mandates at the levels required. Based on what Congress currently is slated to fund for fiscal year 2005, that shortfall stands at $18.2 billion. When Congress fails to do its part, local taxpayers and school districts must make up the difference.

NSBA recently sent our campaign guide to increase federal education funding to our Federal Relations Network members. But we need all school board members and education advocates to get involved this summer and contact your senators and representatives. Simply put, they will continue to shortchange schoolchildren and local taxpayers unless they hear, loud and clear, from you and your colleagues now. Our campaign guide is easy-to-use, with an introductory letter, key NSBA contact information, talking points, sample letters-to-the-editor and more. We need volunteers ready to join the back to school push and hold Congress accountable for education funding. Take part in this important effort today!

Posted August 4, 2004 12:00 AM