email alert : Contact your state rep - Oppose HR 1162

[groundloop]

I received this email from the Democratic Party of Georgia:



Please contact your State Representative TODAY to tell them to OPPOSE HR 1162.

Despite how it has been promoted, the proposed Constitutional Amendment is NOT ABOUT
CHARTER SCHOOLS. The Georgia House Democratic Caucus OPPOSES HR 1162 and has put
forth its own alternative, HR 1335.

Please contact your State Representative today and ask them to vote NO on HR 1162.

To find your State Representative, go to www.votesmart.org, and on the top right,
enter your zip code. Once you are given a list of your elected officials, click on
"State Legislative" and then click on the person listed as your Representative. This
will take you to your Representative's contact information. Please CALL and EMAIL
your Representative and tell them to vote NO on HR 1162. Please contact them TODAY.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HR 1162 AND HR 1335

HR 1162 IS NOT ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS: The proposed amendment would enable political
appointees to override the decisions of local school boards and local voters and
re-direct tax funds to any "special school" the state creates or designates. Charter
schools are only one type of special school – and there is a better way to solve the
charter school issue without giving up local control or expanding the reach of
government in education.

MAKES TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION CONSTITUTIONAL: HR 1162 enables the General
Assembly to re-direct tax funds to anytype of special school over the objections of
local boards and local taxpayers. The funds would be spent by political appointees,
who have no obligation to respect the wishes of voters. There is no appeals process,
no referendum and no proof that a school was denied authorization or is even
necessary.

GIVES THE STATE UNPRECEDENTED, UNCHECKED POWER: HR 1162 would give the General
Assembly unlimited power to decide and define what constitutes a "special school"
under the Georgia Constitution. The amendment does not define or limit "special
schools." It also prohibits the Supreme Court from reviewing state use of these new
powers by using such a broad term.

BALLOT QUESTION MISLEADS VOTERS: The ballot measure language mischaracterizes the
current state of Georgia law: "Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow
state or local approval of public charter schools upon the request of local
communities?"

· Locally approved charter schools are currently constitutional – and this amendment
is not necessary to confirm their status. Many, if not most, voters may believe that
they are deciding whether any local charter schools may continue to operate, rather
than only whether the state will be permitted to create its own competing system of
local charter schools.

· Despite the ballot language "upon the request of local communities," the local
community will have no say in the state creation of "special schools" including
charter schools.

SUCH A BROAD AMENDMENT IS NOT NECESSARY: The Supreme Court expressly limited their
decision to the constitutionality of the Charter Commission Act. Nothing in the
Court's opinion questions the State's power to set standards and regulations for
K-12 education or conditions for local receipt of state financial assistance.

HR 1335 IS A BETTER OPTION: HR 1335 stays out of the murky territory of "special
schools" and focuses only on charter schools.

· Clear: HR 1335 puts charter schools squarely in the Constitution, removing any
doubt about the state's support of this educational option. This will help with Race
to the Top and with foundations. It also reaffirms the state's role in education
policy.

· Concise: The amendment directly addresses the goals of HB 881 and the Supreme
Court decision by creating a method for the state to act as an alternative
authorizer.

· Fair: The amendment limits funding of state-created charter schools to
state-provided funds. Removes the risk of a power-grab or financial grab from local
tax payers.

· Honest: The ballot language is direct, simple and straight-forward: "Shall the
Constitution of Georgia be amended to authorize the state to create and fund state
charter schools when such schools have been denied by a local board of education?"


Please contact your State Representative TODAY to tell them to OPPOSE HR 1162.

[Laelth]

1. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth