Urgent Legislative Update: The threats to public education and the opportunities to act now

From the Trump administration's 'skinny budget' that aims to cut $12 billion from the US Department of Education to the latest version of the state budget which underfunds Ohio's public schools by $2.75 billion in the next two years, threats at the federal and state levels make it more important now than ever the educators stand up for the supports and resources our students need. There are also opportunities to make our schools even better, including proposed legislation to support school meals and to provide financial support for student teachers. OEA Director of Government Relations breaks down some of the big issues, and tells us what we can do to make a difference right now.

TAKE ACTION NOW | Click here for the OEA Action Alert to contact your state lawmakers and tell them to fully and fairly fund our public schools in this state budget.  Click here to sign a petition to protect Ohio's classrooms and support the Fair School Funding Plan. Click here for a flyer with QR links and information to help encourage others to take action, too.

TELL YOUR STORY | Lawmakers need to hear from Aspiring Educators and active educators about what working full time as a student teacher while paying full tuition and receiving no compensation has meant in your own life, and why things need to change. Please contact OEA Government Relations if you have a story to share when HB 205, the Future Educators Support Act, comes up for proponent testimony.

LEARN MORE | Click here to see how your school district would benefit under a fully funded Fair School Funding Plan. Click here to see much your local school district will be shortchanged under the House-passed version of the state budget. Click here for fact sheets about the school districts in each Ohio legislative district to help in your conversations with your lawmakers. Click here for more resources from the All in for Ohio Kids coalition to help you engage your local school board and your state lawmakers on this critically important issue. 

SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS | With Congress on recess from May 27 through June 2, now is the ideal window to meet with your U.S. Representative and Senators in your home district. In-person meetings during recess are one of the most powerful ways to make our voices heard. Here’s how to get started:

1. Find your members of Congress
   – Visit www.house.gov and www.senate.gov to look up your district’s Representative and Senators.
2. Request a meeting
   – Use their online “District Office” scheduling portals or call their local offices directly.
3. Prepare your message
   – Oppose proposed federal cuts: Explain how rollback of Title I, IDEA, ESSA and other critical education programs would widen opportunity gaps, undermine supports for students with disabilities, and force cuts to classroom staff and school services.
   – Highlight equity impacts: Emphasize that reduced funding disproportionately harms low-income and rural communities, j