June 5th Action

Dear REA and friends, 

This Thursday, June 5th, OEA with SEIU and AFSCME will hold a rally in Salem as a final push for school funding. As we here in Reynolds are painfully aware, every penny helps. Because this is in the final two weeks of school for most districts around the state, many locals, including REA, will focus on calling legislators. 

On June 5th, before or after school or during your prep, we ask all members (and anyone else seeing this) to take 5 minutes and make 2 calls. One to your state House Rep and one to your state Senator. If you want to give a few more minutes of your time, you can also contact members of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education, Sen. Kate Lieber and Rep. Tawna Sanchez (co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee), and/or Gov. Tina Kotek. 

Legislators make it clear that a two-minute phone call--the voice of a constituent--is more powerful than signing a form letter or a mass email. Click here to quickly reach your local legislators (grab friends to do it before or after school!)

While we all know that fully funding Oregon schools to the tune of the QEM is beyond realistic at this current juncture, it is vital to note the historic and continued underfunding of the QEM in your phone call. Salem has been ignoring its own QEM for 25 years now and it must be put back on their radar for the long-term fight. Legislators need to know that we are mobilizing for future actions. They need to know that they must do everything in their power to add funding for schools now. Listen to us now, or expect us to be in your face later.

Use these links to find phone numbers, talking points, and more. 

• Links to Legislators
• 'Talking points
• RSD and the QEM by the Numbers
• Sample script (please use your own stories about how this cuts budget will impact you and your students). 

In Solidarity,
Jeffrey Fuller (he/him/his)
REA President