Dear Friend,
Below is info from Maine's Quality Care Campaign about the devastating cuts to child care services Gov. LePage is proposing--including eliminating the entire Division of Early Childhood! Quality early child care is critical to parents being able to work and kids growing up healthy and capable. Please sign the Maine Childrens' Alliance petition against the cuts, read the info below and write your legislators.
Also, click here or scroll down to see some pictures from our leaflet in solidarity with Verizon Wireless workers!
In Solidarity,
Martin Chartrand, Food AND Medicine
Governor's Proposal Slashes Child Care!
Governor Seeks to Abolish Early Childhood Division
Governor LePage’s proposed budget recommends cutting child care funding in half. His budget proposes eliminating all state funding for Head Start, the national preschool program to help low income children arrive at school ready to learn.
The Governor has also proposed restructuring state government to eliminate the Division of Early Childhood. As part of that proposal, the Governor would eliminate services to parents throughout the state designed to help them find child care and understand what questions to ask providers to ensure that their children will be safe and in a setting to promote their healthy development.
Maine used to lead the nation in early childhood efforts. Now, it looks like Maine may lead the nation in the opposite direction. Sign the Maine Children’s Alliance online petition to join in opposing the Governor’s proposed cuts in child care and Head Start.
Once you’ve signed the online petition, send a letter to your state legislators urging them to oppose the Governor’s budget.
The Governor’s proposal will be voted on by the State legislature soon.
The elimination of the Division of Early Childhood does not even need a vote.
The Governor is planning to eliminate it administratively. Please let your state legislators know today that child care is critical to the economy. If parents can’t work, the economy will only become even weaker. Now is not the time to dismantle the state’s Early Childhood Division.
You can send a draft email to your state legislators through our action center. It’s easy. It’s quick. But, let your legislators know today that cutting child care is not the answer. We need to strengthen the economy, not weaken it!
For more information on specific cuts proposed in the Governor’s supplemental budget, see the Maine Equal Justice Partners web site. Additional information can also be found on the Maine Children’s Alliance website.
Verizon Wireless Solidarity Leaflet
Workers at Verizon Wireless in many parts of the US are fighting for a fair contract. Today, FAM members and staff stood with Verizon Wireless workers outside the Verizon Wireless store in Bangor, handing out leaflets to educate customers about Verizon's greed and abuse of workers.
More info courtesy of CWA:
For six months, Verizon Wireless has been playing hardball with workers who are fighting for a fair contract and a decent, middle-class life. Verizon Wireless is trying to force them to pay thousands of dollars more for health care, and has slashed the level of benefits.
Retirees face staggering health care costs and no income security.
Meanwhile, Verizon Wireless continues paying executives exorbitant salaries and raking in billions in profits.
Food AND Medicine
20 Ivers St. Brewer, ME 04412
(207) 989-5860/ Toll-free Worker Rights Hotline 1-866-933-WCEM
Visit foodandmedicine.org for a calendar of events and more info!
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Food AND Medicine is an affiliate of Jobs with Justice and Interfaith Worker Justice