I’m writing to ask your help on an issue of utmost importance to our school district. 

The 82nd Legislative Session is near its halfway mark. The state is facing a revenue shortfall of $28 billion for the next two years (in order to maintain public services at current levels for the next two years). To make up for the revenue shortfall, the legislature could cut state funding, raise taxes, engage in accounting maneuvers, and/or use some/part of the state’s $9.4 billion Rainy Day Fund.

To date, the legislature has shown no interest in raising taxes, some interest in using accounting maneuvers, and lots of interest in cutting state funding to make up for the shortfall. The proposed House budget would cut funding for public education by $9.8 billion; the senate version would cut $9.3 billion. To put those numbers into terms we can understand, that means both budgets would cut funding for public education by approximately $1,000 per student.

Our voices are not loud enough. We’re at a crucial time in the state budget process. Legislators, especially the newly elected state representatives, MUST hear from you the voters about the effects the proposed budget cuts would have on our school district. My current plan of action includes: 

(1)    Absorbing teaching and staff positions through attrition to be prepared if funding is cut or slashed.

(2)    Using some of our local fund balance to make-up the shortfall if funding is cut or reduced.

With this in mind, I am requesting that you send letters to our representative and senator requesting them to tell the members of the Senate Finance, House Appropriation and House Ways and Means Committees that you will support necessary measures to fully fund Public Education.

Make sure that all communications of this type are: “formal letters” from individuals not form letters or e-mail abbreviated notes. That doesn’t mean you can’t send an e-mail, just make it in “letter format” not a one line abbreviated statement. FAX is also an excellent method for hand written letters. I have included the contact information for Senator Seliger and Representative Price that represent most of Sunray ISD.    

I would welcome the opportunity to visit with you about this situation. Please feel free to call (948-4411) or e-mail me at glen.waldo@region16.net with any questions or concerns you may have.

Senate District 31--Senator Kel Seliger                           

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0131                                       

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX  78711 

District Address: P.O. Box 9155, Amarillo, TX 79105                               

Phone: (806) 374-8994                                                     

House District 87--Representative Four Price               

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0470                                       

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768

District Address: 600 S. Tyler Lobby Box 12013, Amarillo TX 79105

Phone: (806) 374-8787