Colorado Education Association Waits with Nation for Election Results

Nov 4, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2020

Colorado Education Association Waits with Nation for Election Results
State Races Coming into Focus

DENVER – Americans across race, place of origin and ZIP code turned out in record numbers to stand with and for each other, despite the pandemic and deliberate barriers from day-long lines to eliminated drop boxes. America went to bed last night not knowing who had been elected president of the United States and today, we continue to wait.

“Today, and perhaps into the coming days or weeks, we will anxiously await the results of the 2020 Presidential election,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“Make no mistake about it, though: this election is not over. Not until every vote in every county of this country is counted.”

There are a number of updates to races too close to call last night:

Congratulations to all of those candidates who were successful in their elections to the state legislature, including Chris Kolker (SD-27) and Lindsey Daugherty (HD-29). As the leading voice of educators in Colorado, CEA will share its legislative priorities with the new Legislature and work diligently to address the lack of public school investment that this year alone strips more than $1 billion from Colorado classrooms. We anxiously await the results of CEA recommended candidate and District Twelve Education Association member Paula Dickerson in SD-25.

The 39,000 members of the CEA look forward to working with legislators who believe classrooms, not corporations, are a priority and who provide our students and educators the resources they need to succeed. We know that many of our new and veteran legislators share our belief that a student’s chances for success should not depend upon the ZIP code in which they live, a premise to which the Legislature should be held accountable.

We congratulate CEA recommended candidates Lisa Escarcega and Karla Esser on their victories in their State Board of Education races. We look forward to working with the new State Board of Education on policies that will prioritize Colorado students and educators rather than special interests.

CEA congratulates Callie Rennison and Ilana Spiegel on their elections to the University of Colorado Board of Regents. The university will benefit from the leadership of these regents-elect.

We’re thrilled that Colorado voters chose true representative government over the outdated Electoral College with the projected passing of Proposition 113. Colorado now commits to award its electoral votes to the candidate for president who wins the national popular vote. The president determines a lot of outcomes that ultimately affect our students, including appointing the Secretary of Education, and this proposition will make each vote across the country equal and relevant.

Colorado students have been shortchanged by over $10 billion over the last 10 years; $1.1 billion this year alone. Colorado students lose even more with the passing of Proposition 116. Proposition 116 will disproportionately lower taxes for the wealthy while causing irreparable harm to the state’s ability to raise income for basic services like health care, human services and public education. This will drain precious resources from Colorado classrooms. We urge the legislature to rein in every corporate tax giveaway and to close loopholes and tax breaks that will now allow businesses to double dip on the taxpayer dime.

We’re deeply disappointed that voters denied American citizens, under the age of 18 who were previously allowed to vote in Colorado primaries the year they turned 18 to vote in the general election, the right to participate in the democratic process. We should be making it easier for those who are eligible to vote to do so.

“We are at a pivotal moment in history with much uncertainty,” said Baca-Oehlert.“One thing we are certain of is that Colorado educators will continue to elevate our collective voice and to work with parents, our community partners and elected officials to ensure that all of our students have the public education they deserve, regardless of their skin color, sexual identity, ZIP code, or the amount of money their parents make. Elections have consequences and the members of the CEA are proud to have worked to elect candidates and support issues that will have a positive impact on the lives of Colorado’s students, educators and families.”

About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado educators. The CEA promise to our students and communities is that the members of the Association will lead the way in guaranteeing every student access to the best public education. By working collectively with all education stakeholders, we will provide the best public education for every student and assure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.

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Colorado Education Association Congratulates Early Victors

Nov 4, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2020

Colorado Education Association Congratulates Early Victors
Many races still to be called

DENVER – After a long campaign hampered by the effects of a global pandemic, the 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), along with the rest of the nation, await to learn the results of the presidential election. Over the coming days, and possibly weeks, the CEA pledges to assist in any way we can to ensure that every vote is counted and that the United States swears in an administration elected by and for the people.

“Tonight and over the coming days, our democracy will be tested,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“Now is the time for our country to come together to ensure that all votes are counted.”

CEA members congratulate former Gov. John Hickenlooper for his election to the United States Senate. Senator-elect Hickenlooper will bring leadership to the Senate by bringing Coloradans together and putting Colorado students first. We look forward to working with Senator-elect Hickenlooper and thank him for his unwavering commitment to students, educators, families and labor.

Congratulations to CEA recommended federal candidates Rep. Diane DeGette (CD-1), Rep. Joe Neguse (CD-2), Rep. Jason Crow (CD-6) and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CD-7) on their wins tonight. We look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure our public schools are welcoming to all students and to ensure that all students have access to great public schools, regardless of the zip code in which they live. We anxiously await the results of CEA recommended candidate, Diane Mitsch Bush’s CD-3 race.

While we await the results of many of Colorado’s ballot measures, Colorado voters agreed that it was time to repeal the Gallagher Amendment. As a result, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars will remain in Colorado public schools next year; funding desperately needed in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic and more than a decade of K-12 budget deficits.

Voters also passed Proposition EE because they recognize the need to direct additional revenue to public education, including K-12 education and support for rural schools, the expansion of preschool programs, affordable housing, eviction assistance, tobacco education and health care. We look forward to working with our state legislators to maximize the use of these funds for Colorado students.

We are happy that voters chose families over corporate interests with the passing of Proposition 118. Many of our members and their students’ families now won’t have to choose between caring for their families and their job.

CEA congratulates those who were successful in passing more than $1.5 billion worth of local mill levy and bond measures across the state. Too many of our local school districts are forced to go to voters each year to make up for budget shortfalls. With many districts still struggling to recover from the Great Recession and now suffering the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we know that we need to come together as a state to find creative and sustainable ways to improve public education funding. When we come together, we make the way for a better future for all Coloradans.

“We are witnessing our democratic process unfold,” said Baca-Oehlert.“We’re so proud of our members and their efforts during this election and for the work they do every day to educate the students of Colorado.”

About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado educators. The CEA promise to our students and communities is that the members of the Association will lead the way in guaranteeing every student access to the best public education. By working collectively with all education stakeholders, we will provide the best public education for every student and assure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.

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CEA media release: Educators and Parents: Proposition 117 Gets an ‚ÄòF’ for“Foolish”

Oct 27, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2020

Educators and Parents: Proposition 117 Gets an ‚ÄòF’ for“Foolish”

Leading Education Advocates Urge Colorado Voters to Reject 117

DENVER – Educators, parents, and education advocates are raising concerns about Proposition 117, a confusing and vague proposal on the 2020 ballot. The ballot question restricts the use of state enterprises, which include unemployment insurance and college savings accounts, and jeopardizes funding for essential programs. If 117 passes, state legislators would be forced to ransack the state budget and slash current funding for education to pay for other critical services.

“Our schools are underfunded by billions of dollars in Colorado. Yet, this year we are once again under attack. Proposition 117 creates needless risk and instability for Colorado. If 117 passes, big business will enjoy large savings as they make taxpayers pay for the services they use for things like their emission violations. Unlike the special interests backing this effort, we believe supporting Colorado’s families and children should be a bigger priority than lining the pockets of special interests. Prop 117 puts Colorado on a glide path toward more devastating budget cuts that will take much needed resources away from classrooms and educators, hurting our students and families,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.

For decades, Colorado’s students and parents have dealt with the brunt of special interests and big businesses hijacking the state budget for their own bottom line. Now they’re back again, in the middle of a pandemic, as families wrestle with the challenges of remote learning, to try and pull a fast one on Colorado voters with Proposition 117.

“School districts are once again being asked to do more with less. We are working to keep students and teachers safe during a pandemic, trying to meet critical needs in our schools and communities and now this measure could create more risk and chaos in our budget. We can’t absorb any more– we need voters to reject Proposition 117” said Monica Johnson president of the Colorado Association of School Executives.

“Children and families feel the brunt of the current economic crisis, from a lack of internet access to the loss of key programs providing child care, after-school care, and nutrition. Proposition 117 will add nothing but risk and uncertainty to our state’s ability to fill these gaps,” said Kelly Causey, president and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

Proposition 117 is before voters this election and would require voter approval for any enterprise that generates over $100 million in the first five years. Enterprises fund government programs through fees for goods and services, including programs like unemployment insurance, Parks & Wildlife, and college savings accounts. Without enterprise funds, Colorado lawmakers would need to cut future programs like these and look to the already stretched general fund for resources to fund critical programs.

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