Getting to Graduation Actions

Stop Protecting Tobacco and Oil Companies

Everyone is going to take a hit from the extreme budget cuts. But what does the governor object to? Taxes on oil and tobacco companies.

We need to stand up and tell the governor to stop protecting corporate interests, and start looking out for the people of California.

Follow these 3 easy steps to help out.
1. Look over the message below, and feel free to add your own comments. Using your own words makes the message more meaningful.
2. Sign the letter by filling in the form below. We will not share your information with anyone else.
3. Click the button to send your message.

Letter	Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, We, the undersigned citizens of California, urge you to support a tax on oil and tobacco companies in light of our current financial crisis. We are all experiencing painful cuts in crucial programs. We should be taxing oil companies, like every other oil-producing state already does, instead of eliminating public transit services. We should be taxing tobacco companies instead of cutting health care for 900,000 kids. Put the needs of Californians first and support taxes on oil and tobacco companies. Sincerely,
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Ask Gov. Schwarzenegger to protect Cal Grants

On Friday, June 5th, the Conference Committee on SB 61 voted to reject the proposed elimination of the Cal Grant program. Many thanks to the more than 1,000 students and advocates who acted quickly to help protect our state's vital financial aid program by sending letters, emails, and making phone calls to legislators and speaking out at the public hearing on June 1st.

The successful hearing is a good sign, but unfortunately Cal Grants are still at risk for deep cuts.

The Public Policy Institute of California recently found that already California doesn't have enough college-educated workers to meet our economy's needs. Their recent report predicts that the state will face a shortage of 1 million college graduates by 2025 unless current trends are reversed. The Cal Grant program assists over 300,000 students who otherwise may not be able to afford a college education.

Making it harder for Californians to get the training and education they need will add to unemployment, limit economic growth and income tax revenue, and discourage upward mobility and entrepreneurship.

Of course, we are facing a budget crisis, and we’ll need to make some tough choices to solve it. The good news is, there are many ways that we can address the budget shortfall without cutting critical state programs like Cal Grants.

Please take a moment to email Governor Schwarzenegger and your local representative to protect the Cal Grants program.

Letter	Dear Governor Schwarzenegger and Members of the California Legislature, The Cal Grant program is vital to the academic success of over 300,000 students throughout the state of California. Cuts to this critical program would be disastrous for students, their families, and the state of California, both now and in the future. Deep cuts to the Cal Grant program will push low- and middle-income students off the college track, delay their progress, or leave them even deeper in debt as they struggle to make ends meet. Making it harder for Californians to get the training and education they need will add to unemployment, limit economic growth and income tax revenue, and discourage upward mobility and entrepreneurship. The Cal Grant program not only makes a college education accessible to more students, but it is vital to our economic growth. The Public Policy Institute of California recently found that California needs more than a million new college-educated workers by 2025 to protect the state economy from decline. During these difficult economic times we must invest in young people and strengthen the state's workforce. We urge you to protect this vital financial aid program that so many hard-working students, and ultimately the fate of the state of California, rely upon. Sincerely,
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Save Cal Grants!

For decades, Cal Grants have made college possible and affordable for millions of California students. This vital program is now under attack because of the state budget crisis.

Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating all new Cal Grants for incoming students, and slashing the value of renewal grants to CSU and UC students. More than 200,000 students would lose all or part of the Cal Grant they’re counting on for this fall! Over the next few years, the program would be phased out entirely.

Tell your representatives in Sacramento that these cuts would be devastating to students and harmful to California’s economy. Please fill out the form below to email your representative now.

Let’s work together to make sure that our generation – and generations to come – have access to Cal Grants and a world-class higher education system.

Letter	Dear Legislator, Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to eliminate all new Cal Grants and slash the value of CSU and UC renewal grants would be disastrous for students and the state of California, both now and in the future. The loss of Cal Grants will push low- and middle-income students off the college track, delay their progress, or leave them even deeper in debt as they struggle to make ends meet. Making it harder for Californians to get the training and education they need will add to unemployment, limit economic growth and income tax revenue, and discourage upward mobility and entrepreneurship. College students are already struggling to make ends meet and stay in school as they face skyrocketing textbook costs, fees and tuition, and cost of living expenses. They are relying on their Cal Grants now more than ever in these tough times. If these proposed cuts go through, more than 200,000 students would see their financial aid packages for this fall reduced by up to $9,708. Cuts to the Cal Grant program are not only cruel and harmful to students and families, but also dangerous to our economy. We urge you to protect this vital financial aid program that so many hard-working students rely upon. Sincerely,
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