The House will be asked to consider an amendment today that suspends the House rules and pushes a budget amendment that is bad for kids.  Pre-K Counts, child care and CHIP will be cut.  Basic education will not receive its fair share - schools will not have the funds they need to educate our kids. We need to contact members of the House immediately to urge them to vote "no" on this move.  We need to urge the amendment’s sponsor - Rep. Nick Kotik to reconsider.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am very concerned with your amendment to SB 850 and the move to suspend the House rules so that it can be considered. Like SB 850 before it, the measure slashes important programs that support children and families such as CHIP, child care, Pre-K Counts and fails to make an adequate investment in basic education funding for the coming school year.

I appreciate you are trying to break the budget logjam but Pennsylvania cannot solve its fiscal woes on the backs of our children. Please don't offer your amendment! Work with Democratic leaders and the governor to pass a budget that is good for kids.

If we fail to pass a budget that supports early and basic education, children's health care and other critical children's programs we are only causing future economic harm to our state. It is simply a case of pay me now or pay me later. Please invest in children and save the taxpayers money in the long run.

I respectively urge you to reconsider this action and put kids first. I am copying my own member of the House on this email as their constituent but felt it was critical that you understand that Pennsylvanians from all around the Commonwealth think this is the wrong step. Support your caucus leaders as they try to sort out a way to pay state workers and solve the budget crisis.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 03, 2009