trainings

Over the past year, in nearly every state across our country, newspapers have been filled with stories of state legislatures and town committees trying to work their budgets out of the red.

These times of fiscal crisis can be opportunities for us all to work together to rebuild healthy, safe, and appropriately-funded state and local communities, but we can only be effective in these efforts if all involved have access to the necessary budget and revenue information.

Brockton community members have demonstrated their agreement as evidenced by at least two school committee members refusing to meet secretly with their Superintendent, and by the recent opinion piece on in The Enterprise regarding secret school committee meetings surrounding a potential layoff of hundreds of staff:

"As we face a serious financial crisis, the superintendent needs to lead openly, strongly and decisively. He can dispel any questions about his abilities to steer Brockton's system to even higher academic achievements if parents and citizens are certain of his strength and clear thinking under pressure.

But no one can support what they can't see or hear... [more]

Today, Governor Patrick will release the state budget, setting in motion a process of give and take that will unfold over a minimum of three months. During that period, many of us will be advocating against cuts -- to our programs, our favored line items, to the local aid that keeps our communities afloat.

ONE Massachusetts is offering trainings designed to help you make the case for more revenue in the state budget. We're asking the Governor and Legislature to take a balanced approach to the budget deficit, combining new revenues with federal and reserve funds to avoid cutting critical programs.

Much rides on how convincing our arguments are. How compellingly can we convey the critical importance of funding our communities. 

Our trainings will enable you to make the case for more funding and at the same time remind your audience of the critical role government plays in keeping our communities safe and healthy, fostering economic growth and expanding opportunity for everyone.

On Feb. 2, join us for a training at the Boston Teachers Union in Dorchester from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. On Feb 3, join us for an Insider Budget Briefing at our 30 Winter Street office from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Contact yawu@realclout.org to set up a training for your staff, board or colleagues.