There is mean things happenin’ in this land; There is mean things happenin’ in this land. Oh, the rich man boasts and brags, While the poor man goes in rags, There is mean things happenin’ in this land. Take care of yourself first, then you will be able to take care of students. Depression Chant, 1934 AFT New Mexico COPE

Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in America said, “When people get outraged, politicians respond.” Take care of yourself first, then you will be able to take care of students. One rich man’s advice AFT New Mexico COPE

Take Buffett’s advice Repeal tax cuts for rich Close corporate tax loopholes Repeal HB 854 Restore per-pupil unit funding cuts Save, create new jobs Take care of yourself first, then you will be able to take care of students. AFT New Mexico COPE

Our plan Tell all school employees… –What New Mexico’s lawmakers did –What President Obama did –What we must do: take direct action AFT New Mexico COPE

What lawmakers did Passed budget with… –$29.68 cut in per-pupil unit value funding –No money for schools’ higher utility bills, insurance costs –Higher employee retirement deductions –No cost-of-living increases AFT New Mexico COPE

Why they cut education Lawmakers said… –New Mexico has a deficit –Constitution prohibits deficits –They had no other choices AFT New Mexico COPE

New Mexico’s deficit Created by… –Lawmakers who cut state taxes which fund public education Cut income taxes for the rich Opened corporate tax loopholes Balanced deficit with higher oil, gas revenues AFT New Mexico COPE

New Mexico’s deficit In 2008, energy prices collapsed –Oil, gas tax revenues dropped –$500 million budget deficit reappeared –Lawmakers refused to repeal tax cuts for the rich –Lawmakers refused to close corporate tax loopholes AFT New Mexico COPE

Constitution doesn’t prohibit deficits Article 9, Section 7 –“…The state may also contract debts to suppress insurrection and to provide for the public defense.” AFT New Mexico COPE

Constitution prohibits education cuts Article 12, Section 1 –“A uniform system of free public schools sufficient for the education of, and open to, all the children of school age shall be established and maintained.” AFT New Mexico COPE

Lawmakers cut education’s share of budget 1982 – lawmakers responsible for public education per-pupil funding 1986 – 51.6% 1990 – 50.0% 2000 – 47.0% 2007 – 44.0% 2008 – 43.3% 2009 – 40.1% AFT New Mexico COPE

Instead of education cuts Five better choices 1.Repeal $500m in tax cuts for rich 2.Close $130m in corporate tax loopholes 3.Invest $7b Permanent School Fund 4.Invest $3b Severance Tax Fund 5.Invest Obama’s $3b - $1.8b stimulus AFT New Mexico COPE

What others did New York State Lawmakers –Repealed tax cuts for rich –Closed corporate tax loopholes –Increased budget spending $1.75b for schools, colleges and universities 5 percent increase AFT New Mexico COPE

What our legislators did New Mexico senators, representatives –Refused to repeal tax cuts for the rich –Refused to close corporate tax loopholes –Increased our retirement deductions –Banked President Obama’s stimulus –Cut per-pupil funding unit value $29.68 AFT New Mexico COPE

What Obama said “The last thing a government should do in a recession is to cut spending.” Georgetown University, April 14, 2009 AFT New Mexico COPE

What Obama did Sent stimulus to New Mexico –Additional $3b - $1.8b to… Restore cuts in per-pupil funding unit value Put 26,400 New Mexicans back to work Save the economy from a depression AFT New Mexico COPE

President Obama said… “Spend this stimulus quickly and wisely to save jobs and create new jobs.” AFT New Mexico COPE

Our plan Tell all school employees -What our lawmakers did -What President Obama did -What we must do: take direct action AFT New Mexico COPE

What is direct action ? Strongly express our attitudes Clearly communicate our positions Tell lawmakers what we need AFT New Mexico COPE

Direct action phase 1 Sign petition Take home –Family –Friends –neighbors AFT New Mexico COPE

Direct action phase 2 ? In Los Angeles, CA –Employees protest 7,000 job cuts AFT New Mexico COPE

Direct action phase 3 ? Fighting for our student’s education One-third of APS education assistants called-in sick last November AFT New Mexico COPE

Direct action phase 4 ? Fighting for our student’s education Go to Santa Fe when session begins Stay at Capitol until lawmakers respond AFT New Mexico COPE

Direct action phase 5 ? Fighting for our student’s education Elect new lawmakers Nov AFT New Mexico COPE

Questions, answers, schedule meetings Take care of yourself first, then you will be able to take care of students. Fight for what’s right. AFT New Mexico COPE