Received this e-mail today from State Senator and gubernatorial candidate, Jason Carter (D. GA), regarding education in Georgia:
It is clear to me that the single biggest failure of Georgia's current leadership -- and the biggest drain on our state's economy -- is the dismantling of our education system.
I have heard from thousands of Georgians from virtually every corner of the state with stories about how cuts to our schools have impacted individual classrooms and entire communities. Make no mistake -- I have been listening closely.
I’ve heard the stories of real Georgians impacted by these cuts. The teacher who has 37 students packed into her classroom -- a disaster that she told me led to students not receiving the education they deserved and needed.
The teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer, and who says additional out-of-pocket expenses under the new state health benefit plan are “going to break” her.
Our teachers – and our students – deserve better, don’t you agree?
https://services.myngp.com/...
There are 9,000 fewer teachers in Georgia classrooms today than there were in 2009. Meanwhile the number of students continues to rise and class sizes are reaching unsustainable levels. Almost three-quarters of our school districts have stopped teaching students the full 180 days per year.
There’s simply less educating going on in our state.
It’s time to fix these problems.
With input from teachers, parents, students, business and community leaders, and school leaders from across the state, I’ve announced an education platform to begin to improve educational outcomes – starting with support for our teacher workforce.
I have proposed the following initiatives to support Georgia's teachers:
· Restore Funding for National Board Certification for certified teachers
· 'Unfreeze' Incentives for Highly Qualified and Experienced Pre-K teachers
· Restore HOPE Scholarship Programs designed to train and recruit our teacher workforce.
We need the very best teachers in our classrooms, and that won’t happen without vision, leadership and commitment. Will you stand with me?
https://services.myngp.com/...
A lack of leadership on issues on these issues is holding our entire educational system back.
Education is personal for me. My wife Kate teaches in our public high school. I know the challenges she faces. I live with them. And I want for every teacher what I want for her – the chance to do what she loves and to see her students succeed.
If you agree we must work to improve education in Georgia, please add your name to voice your support here:
https://services.myngp.com/...
After you add your name please forward this email to your friends and family that care about the future of Georgia’s education system. Ask them to sign their names and stand with us. We don’t have to keep going down this unsustainable path. Together we can make Georgia schools great for everyone.
Thanks,
Jason
Click here to add your name:
https://services.myngp.com/...
P.S. Carter also recently slammed Governor Nathan Deal (R. GA) for refusing the expand Medicaid in Georgia:
http://politics.blog.ajc.com/...
State Sen. Jason Carter, the Democrat challenging Nathan Deal’s re-election bid, this afternoon blistered the governor for his “amazing” acquiescence to a House GOP plan to strip the executive branch of its power to expand Medicaid in Georgia.
“To me, it is more evidence that he’s doing everything he can in refusing the responsibility of leadership,” Carter said. “It’s an unbelievable example of him passing the buck.”
H.B. 990 is sponsored by Speaker pro tem Jan Jones, R-Milton; Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge; Majority Leader Larry O’Neal, R-Bonaire; and the governor’s floor leader, Chad Nimmer, R-Blackshear.
At a noon press conference on the aftermath of the latest winter storm, just before he departed for a helicopter tour of Augusta, I asked the governor if he supported the bill.
“I’m fine with that, yeah,” Deal replied.
H.B. 990 would require legislative approval to expand Medicaid rolls by 600,000 or so – which once was a required portion of the Affordable Care Act, and now is only a polite offer. The feds would finance all of the health care costs for the first three years and cover 90 percent of the costs thereafter. - Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/13/14
If you'd like to donate or get involved with Carter's campaign, you can do so here:
http://www.carterforgovernor.com/