Yesterday we announced here that we’ve put some efforts into a postcard campaign to remind our state reps—Scwharzenegger, Yee, Ma and Hill—that Daly City and Northern San Mateo County are aware that our schools that currently $1.5 million under-funded and therefore ill-equipped to furnish a quality education that accounts for the unique needs of our students. In less than one day—we haven’t even begun distributing the cards—Kalayaan School for Equity received an email response from Senator Yee’s office reminding us of his work to support our schools. In addition to a personal message from his Chief of Staff, the office also sent us the press release copied below.

Kalayaan School for Equity appreciates having open lines of communication with our elected officials. It’s a good sign that someone in Sacramento is listening. This really encourages us to continue to get as many postcards signed and sent off in order to concretely show our representatives that we are concerned, not just about future cuts to our education budget, but by the fact that Northern San Mateo County schools operate on less than most schools in California. We hope that all concerned representatives will not only defend our schools from further cuts but also fight for increased funding to California public schools with a special focus on promoting both educational quality and equity; in other words, we want to stop the budget cuts and get our schools more of the resources they desperately need. Check it out!

Yee Vows to Continue to Vote Against Education Cuts, Participates in “Day of Action”

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Senator Yee praises students, teachers, and parents for standing up for education

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) will join rallies in San Francisco and Sacramento as part of the international “Day of Action” to protest cuts to education.  Yee, who has consistently voted against all budget cuts to education and has vowed to continue to oppose any further reductions to schools and universities, is praising students, teachers, and parents for having their voices heard.

Yee plans to participate in a rally outside the Capitol in Sacramento at noon and another at Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco at 5:30 PM.

“I stand with the students, teachers, and parents who are saying ‘enough is enough,’” said Yee.  “The state budget should not be balanced on the backs of students and the most-vulnerable.  I will continue to oppose all budgets that put the interests of corporations and the rich before the interests of California families.”

“We are so proud of Senator Yee for standing up and saying no to more cuts,” said Marty Hittelman, President of the California Federation of Teachers.  “After all of the carnage inflicted by the governor and the legislature on education, it is a ray of sunshine to have a legislator like Senator Yee stand up for the people of California.  We, and the students we serve, applaud him.”

“If the Governor and his Republican colleagues are going to say taxes are off the table, then Democrats should say cuts to education are off the table,” said Yee.  “We need to stand by our principles and protect students and teachers.”

Earlier this week, Yee played a critical role in mediating on behalf of several protesting University of California students who participated in a sit-in at the Capitol.  Five students were arrested, but at Yee’s request they avoided a stay in county jail and instead were “cited and released” by the California Highway Patrol.

“Senator Yee was incredibly helpful,” said Claudia Magaña, a UC Santa Cruz student who was arrested.  “We would not have felt as confident without his support.  He understands our plight and his assistance allowed our voices to be taken seriously.  His participation showed how strong of supporter he is for the student movement and public education.”

Last week, Yee again voted against a potential cut to California schools when he was one of only two Senators to vote “no” on AB 8x 5, which included up to $2.5 billion in deferrals to education.  Yee also insisted that the proposed “gas tax swap” being voted on today provided a guarantee to Proposition 98 – voter-approved minimum funding for education.  Over the past two years, Yee has voted against budget cuts to education that have left public schools $17 billion short.

“While most legislators succumbed to political pressure on the budget, Senator Yee stood strong in protecting the values of our families,” said Jovan Agee, Political and Legislative Director of the United Domestic Workers.

“Students and teachers have a crystal clear idea who ultimately will impact their success and are demanding legislators hold UC executives accountable,” said Lakesha Harrison, President of AFSCME 3299, which represents over 20,000 UC employees.  “Senator Yee has been on the front lines holding UC executives to account.  His commitment to stand with students and workers is unwavering.”