NJEA
members should act now to urge the Senate to take immediate action on a
jobs package that includes an Education Jobs Fund. This package would
save and create hundreds of thousands of education jobs.
S-3206,
the “Keep Our Educators Working Act”, has just been sponsored By
Senator Tom Harkins (D-Iowa) out of the Appropriations subcommittee.
The companion bill, HR-2847, passed in the House back in December. Urgent action is needed to obtain support and co-sponsors in the Senate to get it passed.
Passage of this bill would mean $630 million to New Jersey in order to save 13,400 jobs that are threatened by Gov. Christie’s cuts right now.
Act now:
1) Go to: http://capwiz.com/nea/issues/alert/?alertid=14929856 2) Type your zip code in the box that says “Action Alert” 3) Click the last red arrow at the bottom right to send the talking point “Co-sponsor and Support” 4) Fill in your personal information at the bottom for New Jersey to get credit from NEA 5) Click ‘Send Message”
It
may take about six minutes total to e-mail both Senator Menendez &
Senator Lautenberg - a quick and easy way to earn $105 million per
minute to save educational jobs in New Jersey!
Our goal is to have every member e-mail both Senators!
Urgent Alert on Federal Health Legislation.... __________________________________________________________________
Strong Opposition to Federal Excise Tax Needed
Current
conference discussions aimed at a compromise between the House and
Senate versions of federal health legislation continue to include a 40
percent federal excise tax on health benefits costs that exceed $8,500
for single coverage and $23,000 for family.
Your immediate action is needed to oppose this additional new tax.
The
House version contains a reasonable alternative that would fund health
care reform through a tax on millionaires – defined as individuals
making over $500,000 and families with incomes over $1 million.
Here's what you need to do: Call your senators and tell them to oppose any measure that contains an excise tax: Senator Frank Lautenberg, (973) 639-8700
Senator Robert Menendez, (973) 645-3030Call
your congressman and tell him to oppose any measure that contains an
excise tax. If you need help identifying your congressman, go to njea.org to find that information.Attached is a Congressional district locator and roster as well as a sample phone script you may want to use to make your calls.
Additional information is available – and will be updated – at njea.org.
Act now to oppose this added tax – this bill could be finalized within days!
HERE IS INFORMATION ON THE FAMILY LEAVE ACT AND MATERNITY LEAVE
Any voter in New Jersey, even if he or she is home on Election Day, may vote by absentee ballot.
A voter may apply for an absentee ballot by completing an Absentee Ballot Application and mailing the application to their County Clerk by mail up to seven days prior to the election. A voter may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3 p.m., the day before the election. The County Clerk cannot accept faxed copies of an Absentee Ballot Application since an original signature is required.
Live in Pennsylvania?
Your voter registration form and absentee ballot application can also be found online. ___________________________________________________________________ Members are encouraged to visit the following sites for the most up-to-date legislative action information:
• CYBERLOBBYING - Members can visit this area to take action on current legislative issues. While you are there, sign up for the NJEA's CyberLOBBEE News to get the latest on issues that affect the state aid to schools, professional development, retirement security, children, and public education.
• LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM - The legislative program is revised annually. It details legislative accomplishments over the previous years as well as thelegislative goals and objectives sought by NJEA at the state and federal levels.
• NJEA PAC - Members can log in to find background information on and procedures for contributing to NJEA's political action fund.
• NJEA POSITION STATEMENTS - Members can log in and find NJEA's position statements on pending legislation.
