Facts In Action

The Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2003 budget was finalized on July 31st, with cuts to funding for early care and education. Compared to the final FY02 budget, total funding for early care and education accounts was cut by almost $25 million, including the following:

• $8.3 million in funding for Office for Child Care Services early care and education programs;
  
• $9 million in funding for the Department of Education Early Learning/School Readiness account, which includes the Community Partnerships for Children; and
  
• the elimination of the Trial Court Child Care program, the Parent Child Home Visiting Program, and after-school grants through the Department of Education.

With the FY03 budget finalized, our attentions should now turn to the upcoming elections for various state offices, including Massachusetts Governor. To find out where the gubernatorial candidates stand on the issues, you can visit their campaign web sites, or call their campaign head quarters:

Democrat:
Thomas Birmingham: www.tombirmingham.org, (617) 241-0302
Shannon O'Brien: www.shannonobrien.com, (617) 268-2500 Editor's Note: this url is no longer active. Robert Reich: www.robertreich.org, (617) 547-2206
Warren Tolman: www.tolman2002.com, (617) 924-8683Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

Green Party:
Jill Stein: www.jillwill.org, (781) 674-2422Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

Libertarian:
Carla Howell: www.carlahowell.org Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

Republican:
Mitt Romney: www.romney2002.com, (617) 868-8683Editor's Note: this url is no longer active.

In this important election year, it is crucial that you make your voice heard and let the Statehouse know that early care and education is an essential service to children and families. If you are not already registered to vote, October 16th is the deadline for the November 5th state election. To register to vote, call (800) 462-8683, visit your city or town election office (which is typically located in Town Hall), or you can register to vote at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

For more information:
about the FY03 Massachusetts state budget, the upcoming state election, or voter registration, contact Public Action for Child Care Today (PACCT) at (617) 547-1063 X234.

Facts in Action, August 2002