From Eye on Early Education:

Last week, on Friday, July 17, 2015, Governor Charlie Baker signed the fiscal year 2016 state budget into law. This budget has $162 million in line-item vetoes, including a $5 million reduction in funds for early education and care programs, as well as a $17.6 million reduction for full-day kindergarten grants.

The Legislature can vote to override these vetoes. But legislators need to hear your encouragement.

What Can You Do?

You can do something to help prevent this from happening. The Legislature can vote to override these vetoes. But legislators need to hear your encouragement and here is how:

Fill out this form from Eye on Early Education (takes less than a minute): https://secure3.convio.net/sfceea/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=445

Contact your Legislator:

State Senator Brian A. Joyce
Phone: 617-722-1643
Fax: 617-722-1522
Email: [email protected]

State Representative Walter F. Timilty
Phone: 617-722-2230
Email: [email protected]

State Representative Brian S. Dempsey
Phone: 617-722-2990
Fax: 617-722-2215
Email: [email protected]

State Senator Karen E. Spilka
Phone: 617-722-1640
Fax: 617-722-1077
Email: [email protected]

Sample Text:

Override Governor Baker’s vetoes to early education.

Dear [Decision Maker],

As a constituent, I urge your support to override Governor Baker’s vetoes to early education in the FY16 state budget. The governor vetoed $5 million in early education and care funding, plus $17.59 million to full-day kindergarten. As the economy continues to improve, now is the time to invest in high-quality early education, not make cuts.

Please vote to override the following vetoes:

7030-1002 Kindergarten Expansion Grants: -$17,589,713

3000-6025 Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative: -$500,000

3000-4040 Income Eligible Waitlist Reduction: -$2,000,000

3000-1050 EEC Assessment: -$300,000

3000-2000 Access Management: -$300,000

3000-3060 Supportive and TANF Childcare: -$1,700,000

3000-7070 Reach Out and Read: -$300,000

Thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]