|
The most difficult part of public life is being unfairly and unjustly attacked by opponents.
The attack ads began in February this year. There were six automated anonymous attack calls. There have been at least two “push” polls making false statements to convince voters to vote against me. Now the written and TV ads are coming out which are unfair and dishonest. Such attacks will only increase as the election draws near.
When you hear these outrageous claims, please know that attack ads often twist truth. Instead of believing what you see or hear in attack ads, believe what you have seen me accomplish in my first term in the Colorado House of Representatives.
I work for quality education and have passed important legislation furthering this goal.
Kindergarten through High School Education
There is overwhelming research to support the need for preschool education as a way to improve quality of lives, decrease the dropout rate from high school, and boost our college graduation rates. This has an economic component as well since our businesses have been telling us they need a well-educated workforce.
Funding for preschool education was fought tooth and nail by some in the Republican Party and by the Governor. Owens was successful in whittling down the Democratic Majority's proposal to fully fund preschool and kindergarten education, to fully funding preschool education for 2000 of those children most at risk. That's good, but it isn't as great as it could have been could we have had total control of the state budget.
I consider that to be a poor economic choice on the part of the Governor, as it is fiscally shortsighted and hurts families.
Our Ten Million Dollar cash infusion into Read To Achieve includes funding for audio textbooks for dyslexic children. For the first time in our public schools, children who are not able to learn to read visually will have access to audio textbooks. Experts at our legislative hearing testified that research findings from Johns Hopkins University found test scores improved 38% when children have access to audio textbooks. While funded under Read To Achieve, the audio textbook program will be available to children in K-12. I was excited to be the prime sponsor for this legislation.
While we could not restore all funding that was cut in FY 2002-2003, Referendum C did allow us to restore one quarter of the funding cut, which increases state funding for school breakfast programs in low performing schools.
Special Education and Your Local Schools
The federal government years ago pledged to provide 50% of the financial costs for special education. They only are providing about 40% of their commitment. The state has historically not done well, either. As a result of this chronic under-funding, special education needs are often unmet or delayed for an unconscionable time. About $500 per child is diverted from their educational costs per year to help subsidize the under-funded special education needs. It is high time we fully fund special education. To do otherwise hurts the special education student, and other students as well.
Learn more about Gwen
Gwyn Green for H.D.23
P.O. Box 16693
Golden, CO 80403
Phone: 303-489-8907
gwyn.green.house@state.co.us
|
