Initiative 1033 will hurt kids

When you open your ballot this fall, you'll be asked to vote on Tim Eyman's latest bad idea: Statewide Initiative 1033. You may find yourself tempted to check the yes box - the way it's written it looks enticing. But I-1033 is a very bad idea, such a bad idea that we at the Children's Alliance have joined a broad coalition to fight and defeat it.

If passed, initiative 1033 will hurt kids in Washington State for years to come.

This year Washington faced a devastating budget deficit in the middle of a terrible recession. Right now across the state, teachers are getting laid off, soaring numbers of adults are losing health insurance, and little kids are waiting for early learning programs while their preschool years pass them by. If I-1033 passes this slashed budget will be locked in as the baseline, and force future cuts.

I-1033 limits the growth in revenue each year for state, county, and city general funds. It sets an arbitrary formula based on the cost of inflation plus population growth. It will leave no room to cover unanticipated costs like natural disasters. You can read great coverage of the damaging potential of I-1033 on Schmudget, the blog of the Washington Budget and Policy Center.

The most vulnerable people will suffer the most if I-1033 passes, but everyone will feel the pain. Just read the box to the right to learn a little of what happened when a similar initiative passed in Colorado.

We're all counting on our state climbing out of this recession. If I-1033 passes, we'll have a much, much, steeper climb. The worst of times in Washington would become the best that we can hope for, and kids will suffer.

Together we can and we will defeat I-1033. Here's what you can do.

1.
Send this message to 10 people you know. Recent polls show that most people don't know much about Initiative 1033, but that when they hear that it's sponsored by Tim Eyman, and learn how it will affect education, health care and the state budget, they decide to vote no.

2.
Sign the pledge to vote no at the No on Initiative 1033 website.

3.
Vote no on I-1033 in the November election.

You can make the difference in this campaign. Please share this message today. Thank you for speaking up for kids.

Sincerely,

Jon Gould, Deputy Director
800.854.KIDS x19



Dear Jamie,

Initiative 1033 is a proven failure. A similar initiative passed in Colorado in 1992. Here's what happened:

* Funding for K-12 education plummeted, dropping Colorado to 49th in the nation in education funding.

* The proportion of low-income children who lack health insurance in Colorado doubled, as it declined nationwide.

* At one point Colorado had to suspend the requirement
that children had to be fully immunized before enrolling in school, because there were not enough state funds to buy vaccine.

The situation was so bad that in 2005 voters put the law on hold so their state could recover. Dozens of other states have defeated similar initiatives at the ballot - because it's a bad idea. Learn more.

Building Inclusion Together

Building Inclusion Together is a community disability awareness program created by two local parents, Jennifer Monteleone and Lisa Okada Visitacion, parents of children with developmental disabilities. They have developed a great website and have put together trainings for high schools for National Disability Awareness Month in October 2009.

Check out their website at http://www.buildinginclusiontogether.org

For more information, contact: info@buildinginclusiontogether

Here is info about the 2009 School Program

In October 2009, Building Inclusion Together will be traveling to high schools throughout Washington State to talk about disability history in our state, inclusion, and begin discussions about the ways in which student leaders can make a difference in their school communities.

By speaking directly with future community, business and government leaders, we hope students will begin to shape their opinions and philosophies, as well as develop their sense of compassion about why the inclusion of people based on their abilities, not their disabilities, makes our communities stronger.

Students who are passionate about an idea often carry their thoughts beyond the school yard and into their community, planting seeds of change with parents, family members and neighbors. We hope the Building Inclusion Together program will create a sense of passion and awareness within your school community to build new opportunities in which all students can belong regardless of disability or difference.

Participating schools will be eligible to compete for the first ever Building Inclusion Together Inclusive School Award. Working in teams, students will be encouraged to develop a comprehensive program to create opportunities for inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in their school communities.

This year, we are offering two program options. Schools are encouraged to select the option that they feel would connect best to their student population. Program times may be able to be amended based on school needs.

Option 1 - ASB Student Leadership - 90 minutes
ASB Student Leadership will participate in a 90-minute program that includes watching the full length (60 minute) Including Samuel documentary, listening to stories on inclusion and self determination from Washington State self advocates who will be in attendance, followed by a brief question and answer session. The Building Inclusion Together Inclusive School Award competition will also be introduced and explained. Resource materials will be provided for student research, discussion and idea generation.

Option 2 - Social Studies and English classes - 45 minutes Students will participate in a 45 minute in-classroom program that includes watching the 12-minute Including Samuel trailer, followed by a 15-minute discussion led by self advocates with support from the Building Inclusion Co-Founders. The Building Inclusion Together Inclusive School Award competition will also be introduced and explained. Resource materials will be provided for student research, discussion and idea generation.

Technical Requirements

DVD player and projection screen to show Including Samuel documentary
ADA accessible building and/or room
Access to elevator if room is located on the second floor
Internet connection
Due to generous community support, we are able to bring
the Building Inclusion Together program
to your school free of charge.




For more information, contact: info@buildinginclusiontogether