Sample Script for Phone Calls to Senate Republicans
Please call your state Senator’s office to express your concern about cutting state funds for public schools in your community!
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a state budget bill on May 6 that would decimate the increased support for public education proposed by Governor Rendell for the next school year. Senate Bill 850 was introduced by Senate Republicans on May 4 and approved along party lines two days later. It would provide school districts $711.4 million (or 11.3 percent) less than the Governor’s proposal. Every school district in the state would receive less.
The Senate budget cuts more than $728 million in state dollars for public education, diverts those state education dollars to other purposes, and uses federal stimulus funds to fill the hole caused by the cut in order to flat fund basic education at 2008-09 levels. Nearly half of Pennsylvania’s school districts have indicated their revenues are below budget and 60% have indicated they are already tapping into reserve funds to offset deficits this year, so the Senate budget would cause school districts to raise local property taxes or cut effective programs that help students learn – or both. This is unnecessary when federal stimulus funds can be used to support public schools and sustain progress on implementing the fair and predictable funding formula adopted last year.
It is imperative that all Senators who voted for this budget bill hear from constituents that they want their schools to receive adequate state funding. If they do not hear from you, they will assume that you approve of their vote to cut school funding. Senators are in their district offices for the rest of May, so this is a perfect time to call. You can find your Senator’s local district office contact information by going to and entering your zip code in the upper right corner.
If your Senator is not available, you can leave a message with a staff member. Feel free to use or adapt the script below when you call. Thanks for your support of our children and the public schools that serve them.
“Hi, my name is Xand I'm calling toletSenator(insert last name)know I'm upset about his (or her) vote in support ofSenate Bill 850. Senate Bill 850 only shifts the cost of educating our kids to the local level forcing school districts to choose between cutting important programs for children or raising property taxes. I hope that as the budget process moves forward, Senator (insert last name)will reconsider and push for increased funding for basic education in the final budget. Thanks.”