It’s super easy to email Congress, the message is already written for you all though you do have the option to personalize it. Please participate, this is important. Thanks everyone! ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jason Lewis <jlewis@useaut.org> Date: Fri, May 8, 2020 at 9:33 AM Subject: Call to Action To: board@useautah.org <board@useautah.org> Please share This with all of their members, leaders, family, etc. An economic downturn that could rival the Great Depression is upon us—and threatening the ability of state and local governments to fund public education and other essential services. NEA is calling for an additional $175 billion to stabilize education funding. A decade ago, during the Great Recession, state and local governments scrapped essential student services and laid off tens of thousands of educators. *We can’t let that happen again.* The global pandemic has wreaked havoc on state budgets across the country. States are required to balance annual budgets, and Utah is anticipating a significant shortfall in the upcoming budget cycle, which makes it imperative for Congress to act. Leaders at NEA have outlined three priorities for members to advocate with U.S. representatives and senators <http://click.meaaction.org/?qs=be3e639dec0fca37780ac0d938ad656a5f1a665ea33b8214d98a7ab92658edd53c0dac0b115658f183b8cd71c074d5a841909ce173ffa3e6>, including $175 billion earmarked for education to the states, $4 billion to address the digital divide, and protective equipment and supplies for support staff and others who still must show up at worksites to supply meals and schoolwork for students. *We need you to get involved and take action:* - Go to www.nea.org/covidaction and email your members of Congress. - Text ACTION to 84693 to receive mobile alerts from the NEA. - Attend the Virtual Tele-Town Hall on May 14 at 5:00pm MT. Register at www.nea.org/actiontownhall Thank you – we can’t do this without you! Jason Lewis President Utah School Employees Association If you believe it will work out, you’ll see opportunities. If you believe it won’t, you will see obstacles. – Wayne Dyer -- Erik Adams Executive Board Member Utah School Employees Association eadams@useautah.org Mobile: 801.750.4473 Office: 801.269.9320