Dear Education Advocate, Three months ago on July 2nd, Governor Branstad vetoed the bipartisan local school funding compromise. At that time, he said the one-time investment of $56 million dollars was unaffordable. Did you know Governor Branstad is now maneuvering to give large corporations a $37 million ON-GOING tax cut without approval from the Iowa Legislature? If successful, the amount of money available for education will be severely cut this year and every year thereafter. If he wins, responsible investments in education will become even more “unaffordable.” Here’s what reporter Todd Dorman wrote about this the Cedar Rapids Gazette on October 6: “For fresh evidence, look no further than Gov. Terry Branstad’s Department of Revenue, which is seeking to hand the state’s manufacturers a nearly $40 million tax cut. But it’s not urging the Legislature to pass a bill. Instead, the department is simply rewriting its own administrative rules.” - http://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/blogs/24-hour-dorman/who-needs-a-general-assembly-20151006 Next Tuesday, October 13, the Legislature’s Administrative Rules Review Committee will consider this issue. The committee can delay or reject the proposed change. Here’s how you can help keep valuable and limited tax dollars available to invest in local schools: Send a public comment opposing ARC 2178C. 1) Send an email message with the subject line: “Public comment on ARC 2178C” 2) Address it to: victoria.daniels@iowa.gov of the Iowa Department of Revenue and jack.ewing@legis.iowa.gov of the Legislative Services Agency. 3) Explain why you oppose this effort to massively cut corporate taxes without a vote by the Legislature. Points you might address include: a. Why have a Legislature if the Governor can give away almost $40 million without vote. b. How will education ever be affordable if the priority is corporate tax cuts. c. The economic benefits of strong local schools. d. Crowded class sizes, teacher layoffs, and reduced course offerings due to lack of investment in local schools. Your comments will become part of the official record and will shared with every member of the committee. Please also consider writing a letter to the editor on this topic. Additional information can be found at http://www.thegazette.com/subject/opinion/blogs/24-hour-dorman/who-needs-a-general-assembly-20151006. Thank you!