Missing children and empty schools.

Advocates Protest Republican Cuts in Education at Capitol

PHOENIX (Wire Services) March 4, 2009 — Public-education advocates swarmed the state Capitol Wednesday, seizing on education cuts to demand that lawmakers do an about-face and increase school funding.

They culminated their daylong stay at the Capitol with a late-afternoon rally that drew an estimated 2,500 protestors to the Capitol courtyard just as Gov. Jan Brewer was delivering her budget plan to lawmakers.

"We want Jan! We want Jan!" the crowd shouted as lawmakers filtered out after the speech concluded.

"We want her to come out and talk to us," said Mesa school teacher Eric Stuebner, who teaches first grade.

"We want to hear what she has to say about our rally out here."

Brewer did not show. But in her remarks to lawmakers, she noted, "We cannot place all of the burden on our children and their schools."

The loudspeakers broadcasting the two-hour rally could be heard during a press briefing.

Arizona's public schools had to make budget cuts of slightly more than 2 percent to help the state balance its budget. Although the percentage cut was smaller than other areas, it stung because the savings had to be squeezed out of the last five months of the budget year.

Those attending the rally and various hearings said they were worried more cuts would follow.

"We need to reassess our priorities," said Lisa Hawkins, a Tucson parent with two children in elementary school.

Throughout the day, teachers sporting T-shirts that said, "I am an educator, and I vote" circulated at the Capitol.

The Arizona Education Association organized the events.

"There is no better medicine for a sick economy than a good education," Lily Eskelsen, vice president of the National Education Association, told a lunchtime crowd.

The protestors got a sympathetic reception, especially from Democrats, who used the raucous rally to tout their support for education and to bash Republicans for passing January's budget bill that cut education.

"Your presence here today is sending the message loud and clear that Republicans' priorities are the wrong priorities for Arizona," said House Minority Leader David Lujan, D-Phoenix.

Some lawmakers bristled at being characterized as anti-education.

"These are difficult times, but they're not difficult times just for teachers," House Speaker Kirk Adams, R-Mesa, said at a news conference. 

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