It’s not too late to help advocate for funding for RPS in the state budget! The House and Senate are going to be negotiating the differences in their budget over the weekend and your voice can help encourage budget conferees to make equitable funding a priority!

There are six Senators and seven Delegates from the Senate Finance Committees and House Appropriations Committee who have been appointed as budget conferees and will be deciding the fate of each budget issue. Send each of these legislators an email today:

Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr. district03@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Emmett W. Hanger, Jr. district24@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Richard L. Saslaw district35@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Stephen D. Newman district23@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Frank M. Ruff, Jr. district15@senate.virginia.gov

Senator Frank W. Wagner district07@senate.virginia.gov

Delegate S. Chris Jones DelCJones@house.virginia.gov

Delegate R. Steven Landes DelSLandes@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Christopher K. Peace DelCPeace@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Barry D. Knight DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov

Delegate T. Scott Garrett DelSGarrett@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Luke E. Torian DelLTorian@house.virginia.gov

Delegate Mark D. Sickles DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov

The number one priority to communicate is supporting the Governor’s approach to funding an increase in the At-Risk Add-On program. A sample communication can be:

Subject: Fund the At-Risk Add-On!

Dear Delegate/Senator [Insert Name],

Making investments in public education has never been more important; our schools need more! Please fund the Governor’s proposed increase to the At-Risk Add-On program to provide more equitable funding for the schools in our Commonwealth that need the most support. It costs 25-40% more to educate children in high-poverty areas, yet a school division like Richmond receives less funding than many wealthier localities. Invest in our at-risk schools by supporting this proposal. The real work of justice is in equity and it can only happen with your help!

Feel free to customize your message and discuss other budget proposals that are important to you like teacher salaries and school counselors! Ask them to fund these two other important proposals:

• A full 5% pay increase for teacher and school staff that starts July 1, 2019 as included in the Senate proposal.
• $36 million for school counselors as included in the House budget.

We need more funding in many areas and your advocacy on these issues can help make the difference!