The Budget is not over yet -- there will be Big 5 budget negotiations between the Governor and the four leaders of the Legislature.  And one item that the Governor wants is his proposed expansion of preschool for children in the areas of the lowest performing schools.  And the Governor is right, one of the things that would do the most to improve the performance of children in these schools would be a good preschool for all children in these attendance areas.

President Pro Tem of the Senate, Don Perata, during the campaign for Prop. 82, stated that he wanted preschool for poor children, and would support expanded preschool for poor children (but not all children, as Prop. 82 proposed).  Senator Perata should now deliver what he promised, by reaching agreement with the Governor to include this preschool expansion in the budget.

If this proposal makes it into the budget this year, there will be momentum for the next two years, and we can then also talk about full-day preschool as well as half-day preschool for these low performing schools. 

Please call or e-mail the two Democratic leaders of the Senate and Assembly, Senator Perata and Assemblymember/Speaker Fabian Nunez.  The message is short and simple:

"Our poorest children need you to act for them.  Add $50 million to the State Budget for preschool for all children in the areas of the lowest performing schools.  You said the poorest children needed preschool -- now is the time to deliver." 

You can use these words, or put this into your own words.

Senate President Pro Tem, Don Perata:   
phone: 916-445-6577
e-mail:  senator.perata@sen.ca.gov

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez:           
phone: 916-319-2046
e-mail:  speaker.nunez@assembly.ca.gov

         CALL OR E-MAIL RIGHT NOW -- PLEASE DO NOT PUT IT OFF