Education

How we respond to the recession is a test of who we are as a people. Strong schools are the key to our economic recovery and our children's future. It's irresponsible and short sighted to keep cutting education funding while some big corporations continue to pay just $10 in the corporate minimum tax.

Watch the most recent advertisement from the Vote Yes for Oregon campaign and our partners at the PTA, AARP, and the Oregon Small Business Council, then Vote Yes on Measure 66 & 67, it's the right thing to do.

Do you know what's at stake for your community in the January special election?

The Vote Yes For Oregon coalition has just launched an interactive map of Oregon counties to provide a look at what will be protected by Measures 66 and 67 in each county--and how you can help make sure your neighbors know what's at stake. Click here to find events happening in your community.

Click the map on the right to find the answers to these important questions:

* How many kids are in our K-12 schools? How much school funding for my child's education will Measures 66 and 67 protect?

* How many people are receiving long term care in my community? How many people depend on the Oregon Health Plan?

* How will community colleges and universities in my community be affected?

* How many people looking for work in 2009 will get a tax break under Measure 66?

Once you know the facts, get involved! It's now even easier to find and sign up for opportunities to talk to your neighbors about why we need to vote YES on 66 and 67. Click here to pick your county, choose from the handy list of upcoming events, and sign up right on the website.

Every conversation you have now about these measures will make the difference in January. Get involved now to protect your community!

The recession has put Oregon's economy on the brink. Vital services like education and health care are facing drastic cuts. Oregon can no longer afford to let big corporations and the rich off the hook.

Here's how you can help:

1. Click below to watch the brand new Vote YES on 66 and 67 ad.

2. Send it to your friends and post it on your Facebook page.

3. Help us keep it on the air by donating at the Vote Yes For Oregon Act Blue page.

Show your appreciation for a favorite teacher by taking part in an I Heart My Teacher Neighborhood Walk on Sunday, November 22:

Sunday, November 22, 1-5pm
Alameda Elementary School
2732 NE Fremont, Portland, OR

RSVP @ 503.234.0444

 Or

Sunday, November 22, 1-3:30pm
Lane County Stand for Children/SEIU
488 E. 11th Ave, Eugene, OR (basement of Oregon Community Credit Union building)

RSVP To: Joy Marshall, jmarshall@stand.org

Not available Sunday?

Join us Saturday, November 21, 9:30am – 12pm
Cascade Middle School Cafeteria
1525 Echo Hollow Road, Bethel, OR (just south of Willamette High School)

RSVP To: Donna Deforest, dldeforest@comcast.net

We all want what's best for our children. Voting Yes on Measures 66 & 67 will help protect what's best for our kids by preserving funding for schools.

Here are the basics:

Measures 66 and 67 protect the equivalent of:

• $285.5 million for K-12 education: enough to pay for 1,610 teachers and 1,057 hourly employees such as custodians, bus drivers, and cafeteria workers.

• $24.4 million for Oregon's community colleges, preventing tuition and fee increases.

• $39.9 million for the Oregon University System, keeping higher education and professional training accessible.

• $5.1 million for student assistance.

• $4.1 million for Oregon Health and Science University, training tomorrow's health care providers.

It’s time to protect critical services and middle class taxpayers. This January, voters can protect education at every level by voting YES on Measures 66 & 67. By voting YES to raise the corporate minimum and the tax rates on households with income above $250,000, we can preserve essential services like K-12 education, in-home care for seniors, and the Oregon Health Plan through these tough economic times.