Support Strong Public Education In Virginia

Public education is vital for having an informed citizenry and for preserving economic opportunity for all Virginians. The proposed budget appears to increase funding to public education on the surface, yet it actually cuts funding for schools. At a time when public schools are being cut to the bare bones, millions are to be spent on school "reform" efforts, putting ever more strain on teachers and funneling taxpayer money to private schools.

Corporations depend on having an educated work force, but the majority of the funding for public education comes from property taxes, impacting middle class families struggling to get by. Meanwhile, corporate tax rates in Virginia are some of the lowest in the country, contributing to the huge budget shortfall.

We, the undersigned, find these plans unacceptable, and they must stop.

We urge you to do the following:
* Show support for Virginia's future by truly increasing funding for public schools;
* Oppose the public subsidy of private schools and use the money for public education instead;
* Show support for Virginia's public school teachers by making the state pay its fair share of their pensions, and restoring their right to bargain collectively; and
* Make the tax structure more equitable so that public schools in Virginia can be fully funded by those that benefit the most from them -- corporations and the wealthy.