On January 15 the second session of the 25th Alaska Legislature
embarks on the first-ever 90-day session. What does this mean to
you? At this point, we’re not entirely sure, but rest assured
that involvement by our 13,000 members will be more crucial than
ever before. Not only is there less time for everything from the
state budget (including K-12 education) to legislation restoring
Alaska’s Defined Benefit Pension System (DBPS). But looming
large is the 2008 election season. One way or another 2008 will
mark a watershed year in Alaska political history.
All the more reason for NEA-Alaska members to get involved in
politics. Remember...
- National politics brought us No Child Left
Behind.
- State politics dismantled our world class
public employee pension system and severely damaged Alaska’s
school districts’ ability to attract and retain quality
educators.
- Local politics elects school board members
and assembly candidates, officials who determine local
contributions to schools, and in the case of school boards,
approve our bargained agreements.
Over the past years, it was your continued advocacy that
brought about the recent gains to K-12 funding. Let’s take pride
in those gains and keep up the good fight! The day that politics
is out of education is the day NEA-Alaska members can afford to
stay out of politics.
In 2008 NEA-Alaska will be focusing on school funding and
returning to a Defined Benefit Pension System. The loss of one
of the best pension systems in the nation in 2005 occurred on a
21-19 vote. One less vote in the House, and Alaska would not
have spiraled down to one of the worst pension systems in the
country, a Defined Contribution (DC) plan.
If we are going to get back our retirement system, we need all
members to be involved in the process. An informed membership is
a strong membership, and we keep you updated. True engagement
will allow us to get our priorities addressed by elected
officials at all levels of government.
NEA-Alaska lobbyists are at work in Juneau throughout the
legislative session. But we are only as effective as our members
are active. We need your help. Please sign up to receive the
NEA-Alaska Legislative Contact System (LCS) message at your home
e-mail. E-mail trisha.allen@neaalaska.org. LCS messages will
keep you informed about how our issues are faring in the
capitol.
How can you help?
- Stay involved by communicating regularly
with your Senator and Representative in Juneau.
- Contact your local association president and ask
about the local PACE and NEA-Alaska PACE committees.
- Make certain that you, every member of your family over
the age of 18, and every employee at your school are
registered to vote.
With 13,000 members registered and actively voting, along
with family members, we can achieve our goals. When we organize
our members and others, we can make significant gains and create
a better tomorrow for Alaska’s children.
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