Take Action - Send a message to your state representative urging him/her to co-sponsor amendments to the FY10 House Ways and Means budget that restore investments in early education and care programs.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I respectfully request that you co-sponsor the following early education and care amendments:

Amendment #148 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Speliotis) - Early Educators Scholarship (line item 7070-0065) - Restore $4,000,000 earmark language for the scholarship program.

Amendment #162 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Sandlin) - Universal Pre-Kindergarten (line item 3000-5075) - Increase line item by $1,829,179, providing total funding of $11,640,000.

Amendment #284 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Creedon) - Universal Pre-Kindergarten (line item 3000-5075) - Increase line item by $1,829,179, providing total funding of $11,640,000.

Amendment #375 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Haddad) - Universal Pre-Kindergarten (line item 3000-5075) - Restore language from the FY09 budget identifying quality criteria for program eligibility and ensuring a mixed-provider system.

Amendment #399 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Kane) - Head Start (line item 3000-5000) - Increase line item by $2,500,000, providing total funding of $9,000,000.

Amendment #552 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Walz) -Income Eligible (line item 3000-4060) - Increase line item by $7,500,000, providing total funding of $481,543,743.

Amendment #554 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Walz) - Universal Pre-Kindergarten (line item 3000-5075) - Increase line item by $1,081,916, providing total funding of $10,892,737.

Amendment #688 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Pedone) - Mental Health (line item 3000-6075) - Restore line item, providing total funding of $2,400,000.

Amendment #690 (Lead sponsor: Rep. McCarthy) - Early Educators Scholarship (line item 7070-0065) - Restore $4,000,000 earmark language for the scholarship program and increase line item by $4,000,000, providing total funding of $86,875,218.

Amendment #774 (Lead sponsor: Rep. Richardson) - Family Supports (line item 3000-7050) - Include language identifying Mass Family Networks Program, Parent-Child Home Program and Reach Out and Read as grant recipients, and increase line item by $1,000,000, providing total funding of $8,476,556.

I also ask that you please contact Speaker Robert DeLeo and Ways and Means Chair Charles Murphy and request their support in advancing these amendments to the House floor for favorable action.

In difficult fiscal times, it is important to invest in policies that work. Research demonstrates that high-quality early education improves school readiness and increases academic achievement, providing a substantial return on taxpayers' investment.

By supporting these critically important early education amendments, you will help provide young children with the start they need to succeed in school and in life.

Thank you for your leadership and support.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 22, 2009