Sample Letter & Talking Points

Sample Letter to the Editor

(From www.floridapta.org/Legislative Information/rally information.pdf)

(This is just an example [you might copy and paste into a word processing program or email] to help you construct your own letter. It is best [to revise] to use your own words and vary the content of the letters so that it does not appear to be a form letter. Please use the Talking Points [below] and other information to help you with your letter.)

Dear Editor:

As a member of the largest child advocacy organization in this state and nation, I am concerned about the massive cuts to the education budget.

The manner in which Florida provides for the educational, health, safety, recreational and other basic needs of Florida’s children determines the quality of life for every Florida citizen and providing for those needs lays the foundation of the future of our state.

Recent budget cuts have already resulted in program and service cutbacks in schools and communities. (Provide examples that apply to your community) Some of these cuts are being made up by increased fees and additional charges to the public. Further cuts will increase this financial burden on schools, communities, and families.

It is the constitutional duty of the Florida Legislature to meet the educational, environmental, and health care needs of our children. Funding for 2009-2010 and 2010-1011 has been provided by federal stimulus dollars. The Legislature needs to step up to the plate and ensure that as this funding runs out in one year, that the needs of Florida's children are met through an adequate, stable source of funding.

The community stands ready to help our policy makers implement strategies that will ensure a stable source of funding to meet the needs of all Floridians.

Sincerely,

(Your signature)
Mandarin Oaks Elementary PTA

Talking Points

(From www.floridapta.org/Legislative Information/rally information.pdf)

A quality education system is the key to driving the economic engine

There was no funding increase for education in 2009-2010

Funds for the 2009-2010 budget came from federal stimulus dollars

The 2010-11 budget will again be funded with federal stimulus dollars that run out at the end of the year

The Florida Legislature needs to make provisions to secure education funding through a stable source of revenue beyond 2011

The United States Census ranks Florida as 50th in education spending.
Education Week in its 2008 “Quality Counts” rankings of U.S. education gave Florida an “F” in K-12 spending.
State economists (December 2009) predict that plunging property values will further lower the taxable property value for schools statewide by another 9.5%
The legislature has identified over $23 billion in exemptions that Florida does not collect.
The legislature should begin their work at tax restructuring by repealing unnecessary exemptions that will realize added revenues to the state, before proposing further cuts that will hurt the children of Florida.
Closing existing loopholes will generate needed revenue without adding a tax burden to average Floridians.
We support comprehensive tax restructuring that will increase tax revenue through tax structure reform, in order to adequately fund the services necessary to meet the educational, health, safety, recreational and other basic needs of Florida’s children.
Florida PTA supports reforming Florida’s system of sales and use taxes. Exemptions for products and services should be retained only where they meet an overriding public policy interest.