Oops! Here are Attachments to Previous Email
Cosima Colvin
Dear Friends, Neighbors and Associates,
Like Teresa (see below email), I consider myself fortunate to live in HD123 and to have a State Representative in Mike Villarreal who stands up for public education. I would ask you to take a few moments to read the attached Press Release and Legislative Budget Report and recognize the importance that the November elections will play in the direction that our city, state and nation will take in areas of public education, health and social welfare. It is incumbent on each one of us to be informed, engage others and get out the vote!
I have been volunteering in the Representative's office for over 3 years now and have had the opportunity to see first hand the time and effort that he and his entire staff put into trying to improve the quality of life for the constituents of HD123 and, thru legislation, for the State of Texas, despite the lack of support and funding from the State Leadership. I am honored to have been a part of Mike's Team. On October 25th he will be hosting his annual Homegrown Fest event at Brackenridge Park (invitation is attached). This is a great opportunity to get to meet Mike and his staff, as well as to enjoy good food (catered by SA Food Bank and desserts donated by local vendors), locally brewed beer, local music and just hang out with the great people who make up the neighborhoods in our district. The cost of this year's event is only $10 per adult. This is also an opportunity to give a donation to Mike's campaign for those who would like to continue to support his efforts. Many people may not realize that those contributions also help supplement the funds that the state provides to run the field office and provide the level of quality of service that the constituents of HD123 have come to rely on.
It has been my pleasure to get to know all of you thru my work with the Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association, the HD123 Neighborhood Association Alliance and with the office of State Representative Mike Villarreal and I am very much looking forward to next week's party and the opportunity to chillax with such a great group of people. Hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Cosima
-----Forwarded Message-----
From: Teresa Canales
Sent: Oct 17, 2012 1:19 AM
To: Teresa Canales
Subject: Why I Ask For Your Support: Report Shows State Budget Cuts For Your School District
Dear Friends & Family:
As many of you know, I advocate for reasonable and pro-active legislators (people who make laws).
For more than ten years, Texas House District 123 (where I live) has been fortunate to have Mike Villarreal as State Representative. For the past few months, I have had the good fortune of working with him, and I am proud to say that I respect his work ethic and sensibility.Today, Mike Villarreal released the following press item (scroll to end). It reminded me of something he said one of the first times I heard him speak (I'm sure it isn't verbatim but it was similar to this): "I'll explain how the State of Texas prioritizes its budget in household terms. When you look at our budget in household terms, it's as if a family were saying, 'Let's budget the most money for the garage.' " We are spending our money on transportation. Transportation NOT EDUCATION.For the past eleven months, I have spent more time volunteering in public schools and have come to recognize that great things are happening in public schools despite the noticeable and illogical budget cuts. My biggest surprise was the sharing of one librarian or nurse between schools.We need more thoughtful leadership like Mike Villarreal. If I am reaching out to you, it is because I think we have something in common where rational leadership is concerned. Please consider joining us October 25 from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. at Homegrown Fest 2012 (Koeher Pavilion in Brackenridge Park). This will be a celebration of the Best of Texas House District 123!
I think of it as a way to thank Representative Villarreal for the diligent work he does for the State of Texas and to support him and his legislative staff during the next session which begins in January. Please take time to RSVP today, and if you are outside of San Antonio, I am asking you to support a legislator that supports a better future for ALL of Texas.Use this address if the above link doesn't work: https://secure.actblue.com/page/homegrownfest2012?ssl=falseYours in the spirit of a healthy and better future,Teresa CanalesState Representative Mike Villarreal
Texas House of Representatives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2012
Contact: Peter Clark
Email: peter...@house.state.tx.us
Report Shows State Budget Cuts For Your School District
Austin - With the second school year of state education cuts now underway, a report provided to State Representative Mike Villarreal by the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) shows the amount of state support each Texas school district lost under the budget cuts approved by Governor Rick Perry and the legislature in 2011.
The attached report shows that this year Northside ISD in Bexar County, for example, received $49.9 million less than it would have received under the school finance system in place prior to the budget cuts. The NISD cut amounted to $415 per student. Funding per student is calculated based on Weighted Average Daily Attendance (WADA), which recognizes that at-risk students and others cost more to educate.
In 2011, the legislature cut $4 billion from the Foundation School Program, the system used to fund daily operations in Texas school districts. The legislature also cut an additional $1.4 billion from other public education programs, including grants for full-day prekindergarten, support for at-risk students, merit pay for teachers, and other services. The cuts to grant programs are not included in the LBB report.
Rep. Villarreal, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, voted against the education cuts.
"Texas schoolchildren deserve better than this," said Rep. Villarreal. "We should innovate and invest in our schools so we can grow our economy and fulfill our obligation to the next generation."
Since the education cuts were enacted, school districts have dipped deep into their fund balances, scaled back prekindergarten and other programs, and cut teachers, special education aides, librarians, nurses, and counselors. Districts have also raised class sizes, exceeding the state standard of 22 children per class in more than 8,200 elementary school classrooms last year compared to 2,238 the previous year.
Although the state Comptroller reports Texas has over $4.5 billion in unanticipated revenue, the Texas Education Agency, under the direction of the Governor, has requested that the education budget for the next two years continue the education cuts on a per-student basis.
Education funding is expected to be a top issue during the next legislative session, with several candidates seeking to replace legislators who voted for the cuts.
The attached report shows the amount of funding for each school district this year (SB 1), the amount they would have received under the system in place prior to the cuts (HB 3646), and the difference between the amounts. It also shows the amount of funding per student (WADA) with and without the cuts. The data was provided by the LBB, the non-partisan budget office under the supervision of the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor.
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Cosima
Cosima
