If the choice about our nation's future comes down to choosing between continuing corporate tax breaks versus funding public education, what will your Members of Congress choose? There are just days left before the “Super Committee’s” Thanksgiving deadline. If the Committee does not reach a deal, automatic across- the-board cuts will be triggered – but will not go into effect until January 1, 2013. Democrats and Republicans on the Committee have been trading offers, but, as of November 18, no final deal had been announced. At issue is how much deficit reduction will come from spending cuts to critical programs versus revenue raisers that ensure those most able to contribute pay their fair share.

According to a new report from Citizens for Tax Justice, 280 corporations that made a profit over the last three year have avoided approximately $200 billion in taxes. This is wasted money that could have gone to protect education and Medicaid, create jobs, and cut the deficit. For education, it would have meant an additional $9.8 billion to the states over the three years; and another $67.2 billion from 2008-10 that could have relieved pressure on state education budgets. See NEA’s analysis of how much this lost revenue has cost education.

We must act now to make sure that education, Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare are protected. We cannot allow policymakers to balance the nation’s budget on the backs of retirees, middle class families, and children at a time when Wall Street continues to profit and Main Street struggles!

Our message to the Super Committee:

• Focus on creating jobs
• Invest in school modernization
• Oppose additional cuts to education and other critical programs
• Protect those most in need and those who rely on core safety net programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
• Ensure a balanced approach to deficit reduction that includes revenues, by making sure those most able to do so pay their fair share.

Take Action Today:

• E-mail Congress and tell them that the Super Committee must help create jobs, protect those with the greatest needs, and ensure that those most able to do so pay their fair share.
• Submit a comment to the Super Committee by going to their website at http://www.deficitreduction.gov/public/index.cfm and going to the “write to us today” box at the bottom of the screen.
• Call your Members of Congress as part of the Social Security Works Coalition ongoing call-in event and urge them to oppose cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Dial 1-800-998-0180 to hear the latest update and connect to your Members of Congress.

COLLEGE EDUCATION AT RISK FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS: TELL CONGRESS TO REJECT PELL GRANT CUTS

The Pell Grant helps make the college dreams of millions of students come true. But, this critical program is at great risk. Proposals in Congress threaten to cut funding for Pell Grants, leaving hundreds of thousands of students unable to afford higher education. A proposal in the House of Representatives would remove over 500,000 students from the Pell Grant program and lower the grant for those who remain. In addition, it would remove from the program students in school less than half time – a large number of students who work while also attending school.

College is the best investment in America’s future. It is fundamental to our economic growth. The strength of our nation depends on the strength of our people. The increase in the number of Pell Grant recipients over the last few years demonstrates that the federal investment in student aid pays off—workers know they can retool their skills to get better jobs with the help of federal student aid.

Take Action Today:Tell Congress to reject cuts to the Pell Grant program.

FIGHT FOR THE SCHOOL FACILITIES OUR STUDENTS DESERVE: VOTE ON SCHOOL MODERNIZATION EXPECTED AFTER THANKSGIVING

Pennsylvania -- When it rains, water pours out of the ceiling into Christopher Meyer’s classroom. He places buckets around the room, pushes student desks out of the way, and puts a tarp over his own desk. Then he has to scramble to find a dry, safe room where he can continue his lessons.“At one point I had a waterfall cascading into a light fixture in the ceiling,” Meyer says. “Kids were sitting in puddles in metal chairs as water hit exposed wires. They were like individual lightening rods. You can’t get any more dangerous than that.” Read the full story about this school and NEA’s fight for school modernization.

Far too many students are learning in dangerous conditions and in schools with leaky roofs and peeling paint in overcrowded classrooms with out-of-date or no technology. Senator Brown (D-OH) and Representative DeLauro (D-CT) have introduced the Fix America’s Schools Today Act (S. 1597/H.R. 2948), which would provide needed funds to ensure students the learning environments so essential to their success. A Senate vote on school modernization funding is expected between the Thanksgiving recess and congressional adjournment at the end of the year.

Education Support Professionals are on the front lines in the fight for school modernization. Many times they are the first or only school staff to recognize health and safety issues that can dramatically affect students and their ability to learn. ESPs fight tirelessly for school modernization and the well being of their students and fellow staff. Some of these workplace heroes recently took the time to tell us of much needed improvements at their worksites. View their video testimonies.

Take Action Today:

• Tell your Members of Congress to put Americans back to work and ensure our children the education they deserve by supporting school and campus modernization. Tell Congress to support the the Fix America’s Schools Today Act (S. 1597/H.R.2948), which would provide needed funds to ensure students the learning environments so essential to their success.
• Share your story -- Keep the stories coming. We are using your stories to help put pressure on Members of Congress to do the right thing and focus on creating a great public school for every student.