Category Archives: Education & Politics

03.11.17
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Legislative Budget Forum

Dear WHEA Members,
On Thursday night, there was a public forum at Charter Oak Elementary with the four state representatives for West Hartford.  It began with a short recap on the state budget situation, then each rep spoke for two minutes, and then the public was invited to speak.
Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOEkB5icWAA
Bottom Line:  All four of our reps are opposed to Governor Malloy’s Budget Proposal.  The debt shift and the cuts to West Hartford are crippling.  Best case scenario is 16 layoffs and a big tax increase for WeHa.  Worst case scenario is no tax increase and 100+ layoffs.  (Unless the state arrives at a solution by mid April)
Many ideas were proposed on Thursday night.  The next few months will involve difficult negotiations at the state level.  The town must still move forward with its budget process without knowing how the state will resolve its budget and how that solution will affect West Hartford.
Please write or call Governor Malloy’s office to express your opposition to his budget proposal and to provide your ideas on how to address the state’s financial problems.  The phone number is 860-566-4840.
03.09.17
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Public Forum Tonight (Gov’s Budget)

Tonight from 7 pm to 9 pm, there will be a public forum at Charter Oak Elementary to discuss the Governor’s Budget and its impact on West Hartford with our four Legislative representatives to the State General Assembly (Senator Beth Bye, and Representatives Fleischmann, Verrengia, and Slap)
They need to hear that the budget that Tom presented last night will have significant classroom impacts.  There will be many layoffs as a result of tightening and there will be significant increases in class size.
We need to advocate for preserving the legacy of fine education in West Hartford and provide them with compelling arguments against accepting Governor Malloy’s Proposal.  (30% pension debt shift to towns, cuts to our ECS grant, etc..)
Just be aware that our legislators did not create the budget proposal.  Governor Malloy did.
Also, if you did not already see it on Tom’s message, there is an electronic suggestion box that you can use to make budget related suggestions directly to administration.  The email address is .  budget@whps.org.
Hope to see you at Charter Oak tonight.
Ted Goerner
02.27.17
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Links to Timely Articles

 

Find your legislator: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp

Archived Videos and articles:Chris Murphy at WeHa Town Hall…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTbowawtco0&t=5301s

Governor Malloy interview on Fox News on Feb 23 with Tucker Carlson in which he denies teacher layoffs… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvRNWmMqIbI

Hartford Courant: Article about expected 200 teacher layoffs in Hartford http://www.courant.com/community/hartford/hc-hartford-schools-budget-forecast-story-20170109-story.html

Tom Moore testimony to Appropriations…(at 1:24 into clip) http://www.ctn.state.ct.us/ctnplayer.asp?odID=13767

CTMirror:  Teacher Pensions How the States Compare with link to in depth study http://ctmirror.org/2017/02/22/teacher-pensions-how-connecticut-compares/

CT Mirror:  Philosophical argument about how to fund education between Barnes (Malloy Budget Chief) and Slossberg (State Rep on Appropriations Committee)  http://ctmirror.org/2017/02/24/a-glimpse-into-the-philosophical-divide-over-school-funding/

CT Mirror:  CEA Criticizes Malloy Plan http://ctmirror.org/2017/02/14/teacher-union-slams-malloy-plan-to-cut-aid-to-better-off-schools/

CT Patch:  Winners and Losers.  Town by town with color coded map of which towns stand to gain and which to lose the most http://patch.com/connecticut/darien/winners-losers-malloy-budget-proposal-where-does-your-town-rank

Hartford Courant:  Mar. 9 Budget Forum at Charter Oak http://www.courant.com/community/west-hartford/hc-west-hartford-legislators-governor-budget-forum-0216-20170215-story.html

02.21.17
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Chris Murphy Town Hall TONIGHT!

murpheatureDear WHEA
CT Senator Chris Murphy will host a Town Hall meeting tonight at 7:30 in West Hartford to recap recent events in Washington, to listen to constituents and answer questions.
Senator Murphy is one of our two Senators in the U.S. Senate.  The other is Richard Blumenthal.
Senator Murphy is on the HELP committee and was part of the confirmation questioning of Betsy DeVos.  He is also involved with U.S. Foreign Affairs and is anxions to speak with people about some of President Trump’s recent actions.
Here is the Courant Article:
http://www.courant.com/community/west-hartford/hc-west-hartford-chris-murphy-forum-tuesday-0218-20170217-story.html
Here is a link to Senator Murphy’s website:
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/
Ted
02.21.17
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Public Testimony TODAY!

Layoffs, higher taxes, and larger class sizes.  All are inevitable in West Hartford if Governor Malloy’s Budget Proposal is approved by the CT Legislature.
The Appropriations Committee is hearing public testimony today in the Legislative Office Building.
Our Superintendent, Tom Moore, will be testifying on behalf of West Hartford Public Schools against this proposed budget.  His testimony will begin at some point after 4 pm.  Exact time not yet determined.
It is always more powerful when a speaker is accompanied by stake holders.  Every teacher and resident of West Hartford has a stake in this decision.
Will you consider coming down to the LOB today?  You need not speak.  Just applaud when Tom speaks on your behalf.
Link to driving directions:
https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/drivingdirections.asp
Thank you,
Ted Goerner
WHEA President