We Are the Majority: Public Education & Public Opinion Tim Potts The Majority Party PA PARSS Conference April 26, 2012

Our Public Schools are Under Attack

Common Wealth to Private Wealth The “public” is under attack: Public transportation Public safety Public libraries Public health Public parks and lands Public welfare Public pensions Public univerisities Public employees

The Majority of Pennsylvania Voters Support Public Education

PA Voters Support School Funding F & M March 2011

The Arts are Essential

93% Support a Broad Curriculum Advanced placement courses Career and technical courses Arts Foreign language College courses … 4% Don’t

Voters Supported Funding Increases in 2008, 2009 & 2010

62% Support Equity The state should “take steps to increase funding to poorer districts…to reduce funding disparity even if it means less funding… to wealthier districts.” …28% oppose this strategy

Use every opportunity to tell the public what the polls have proven 79% of PA voters don’t want to cut state funding 82% want funding maintained ▫Even in “hard times” ▫Even if it means cutting other programs ▫Even if taxes must be raised

If They Want to Talk Free Market, Give Them Free Market Bond rating and audits Broad and deep educational experiences Long-term thinking Competition for talent

Why don’t our representatives actually represent us? The people have a right to govern themselves, and the role of government is to help them do it. ▫Look for opportunities to get the word out ▫Use negative polling to your advantage. ▫Ask your lawmakers to come to a board meeting and tell the public what they’re doing. ▫Post online comments to your paper’s website about what the public wants.

“NO ONE WANTS HIGHER TAXES!!!!!!!”

Life in the echo chamber. “…where exactly was this poll taken??? Cal- State Berkley Campus, or maybe an Occupy Philly / Wall Street encampment?? …Was it 'truly' a fair sample of "The Majority of PA Citizenry'! Somehow, I think not...”

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It’s your choice…

We are The Majority Tim Potts