EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO THE 92ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY: CREATING THE SCHOOLS OUR STUDENTS DESERVE The Arkansas Education Association is a professional organization for teachers, ed- ucation support professionals, students and advocates. Our fundamental objective is to work for quality and equitable public education for all of Arkansas students, the betterment of the Arkansas state education system and quality working condi- tions for educators. WHY DOES POLITICAL ACTION MATTER? Almost every aspect of a school employee’s job is determined by appointed or elected officials. • School funding/resources for students • Class sizes • How student test scores are used • Privatizing services • Due process rights • Retirement and health benefits • Wages If we want to exert some control over the issues that are important to us, our family, our profession, and our community, we need to know: Who are the appointed and elected decision makers? What information do they have BEFORE they make their decisions? As AEA members, our job is to be sure that the policymakers at the local, state and federal levels hear directly from us on education issues. We know what students need to succeed. If we are absent from the process, we will allow import- ant decisions about education to be determined by people who may have never set foot into a classroom or worked with a student. This guide will provide you with information about Arkansas legislators, how to contact them, how the state legislative process works and how to help them make the right decisions for your students and your profession. It will also serve as a guide for educators to find your way around the Capitol. WHAT DOES AEA FIGHT FOR? To help students be successful and ensure schools have the funding they need to maintain and improve their quality, AEA supports: • Well- resourced schools that, at a minimum, meet adequacy findings • Smaller class sizes, especially in earlier grades • Healthy, safe and modern schools • Accountability standards for all publically funded schools • Ensuring every school employee is directly employed by the district • Release time for parents to attend school functions • Ensuring schools are not for profit • Ensuring public funds are used only for public schools • Adequate state funding • Funding for programs for at-risk and high-needs students • Quality pre-k education To ensure an outstanding education for every student while preserving a high-quality workforce, AEA supports: • A strong Arkansas Teacher Retirement System • Excellent health insurance coverage • Local control over decisions that affect schools and communities • A supportive evaluation system that relies on multiple measures of student progress • Expanded opportunities and rights for education support professionals • Educator-driven professional development for professional and support staff • Collective bargaining at the local level aeaonline.org | 1 HOW ARE STATE POLICY DECISIONS MADE? The first way is through the legislative process of developing and voting on bills that can then be approved or vetoed by the governor. If the bill is approved it becomes law. The second way is through the Arkansas State Board of Education. Policies can also be created or changed by a court decision or federal requirement. HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW 1. DRAFTING AND INTRODUCTION A legislator has an idea for a bill, usually from a constituent. The legislative mem- ber presents the idea and requests that it be drafted into a bill. In January, when the General Assembly meets, the House Representatives and Senators introduce their bills in their respective chambers. 2. COMMITTEE ACTION The bill is referred to a committee. The members of the committee debate the issues and decide what action to take. This is when the public may speak for or against the bill. After listening to the testimony, the committee will vote to recommend the pas- sage of the bill or the defeat of the bill. The committee may also offer changes (called amendments). If the committee recommends passage of the bill, it then goes back to the chamber where it was introduced. 3. FLOOR ACTION Once the bill passes in committee, the title of the bill must be read three times in the chamber in which it was introduced (House or Senate). First Reading: The bill is read by the Clerk. Second Reading: The bill may be amended after it has been read a second time. The bill is then debated on the Floor. Third Reading: During the third reading, the bill may be debated and a final vote is taken. 2 | Educator’s Guide to the Capitol: Creating the Schools Our Students Deserve 4. VOTING Once the bill passes in the chamber in which it was introduced, it is then sent to the other chamber (House or Senate). In the other chamber, a similar process of committee action, floor debate, and voting takes place. If the bill passes both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is then sent to the Governor. If the bill is amended by the other chamber, it is then returned to the body from which it originated for approval of the amendment. 5. GOVERNOR’S ACTION Once passed in both chambers, the bill must be approved by the Governor. The Governor may: • Sign the bill into law. • Amend the bill and return it to the General Assembly for approval. • Veto the bill and return it to the General Assembly, where the House of Rep- resentatives and the Senate may override the Governor’s veto by a two-third vote of both chambers. • Take no action and the bill becomes a law without his signature. 6. LAW Bills that become law during the Regular Session are effective 90 days after the final official day of session unless otherwise specified. HOW TO FIND A BILL ONLINE To find a bill, go to www.arkleg.state.ar.us and use the bill search tool. You can search by bill number (remember to use HB in front of the bill number for a House Bill and SB in front of the bill number for a Senate Bill.) You can read a bill’s text, see its sponsors, find out where it is in the process and view any votes on the bill. aeaonline.org | 3 CONTACT YOUR LAWMAKERS ABOUT PENDING LEGISLATION MY SENATOR IS: MY REPRESENTATIVE IS: TEN TIPS FOR CALLING OR MEETING WITH LEGISLATORS 1 Recognize that legislators deal with a wide range of issues. Legislators cannot possibly keep completely informed on all issues. Be prepared to provide them with information. 2 Identify yourself and explain your relationship to the issue: Ex. “I am president of PBEA, an organization serving 400 educators in the Pine Bluff School District. We are concerned about SB76 which would increase class size.” 3 Know your legislator. Making a personal connection is critical. 4 Be honest. Decision-makers appreciate candor and forthrightness. 5 Know your message. Be prepared to state your case in a few short sentences. 6 Cultivate relationships. Develop relationships with elected officials when you are not asking for something! 7 Bring success stories. 8 Listen. Give them an opportunity to respond. Is their reaction positive or negative? 9 Seal the deal. Confirm their opinion or stand on the issue. 10 Follow-up. Send thank you letters to the legislator who took time to listen to your issue. 4 | Educator’s Guide to the Capitol: Creating the Schools Our Students Deserve TEN TIPS FOR WRITING TO LEGISLATORS 1 Put in the subject line that you are a constituent. 2 Identify yourself and explain your relationship to the issue: “I am president of PBEA, an organization serving 400 educators in the Pine Bluff School District. We are concerned about SB76 which would increase class size.” 3 Be Brief: Limit yourself to 250–500 words. 4 Focus on one issue per communication. 5 Reference the bill number. If you’re writing about pending legislation, either include the bill number or identify the subject as best you can. 6 Include your name, address, phone number, and email for an easy response. 7 Clearly state your position on the issue. Give reasons for your point of view. Tell how it affects you personally, your students, profession or the community. 8 Be reasonable. Legislators are human too. Don’t ask for the impossible. Always be willing to suggest alternatives to the bill or your original suggestion. 9 Write from the heart. Avoid stereotyped sentences or cliché phrases that might make your letter look like a form letter. 10 Always say thank you. NEVER use a school email to correspond with a lawmaker or political candidate about a bill or a campaign. aeaonline.org | 5 UPCOMING EDUCATION ISSUES In the past year, public education exploded to the forefront of the public policy de- bate in state legislatures across the country. We’ve seen public school educators, students, parents and public education supporters take to the streets demanding public investment and support for public schools. In Arkansas, we expect public education issues to take center stage this legislative session. STATE BUDGET & TAX CUTS State revenue has seen an increase in recent months which is good news for the state budget lawmakers will pass during the legislative session. However, Gover- nor Asa Hutchinson has proposed an income tax cut for the top earners in Arkan- sas expected to move forward in the 2019 legislative session. This tax cut would take effect over the next four years and would result in a loss projected at almost $200 million in state revenue annually. In addition, members of the Arkansas Legis- lative Tax Taskforce have tax cut proposals of their own that may also be introduced during the session. Remember, whenever changes are made to the state budget, it impacts the state’s ability to invest in public education.