Online: 2001-2002
Scappoose Association of Classroom Teachers
Online: 2001-2002
Lisa Sorenson named winner of 2002 SACT ScholarshipFor the 2002 and 2003 tax years, K-12 teachers, counselors, and paraeducators--employed for at least 900 hours in a school year--can claim an "above-the-line" tax deduction for the first $250 of out-of-pocket expenses on student supplies. An eligible school employee does not have to itemize to qualify.
The new deduction--yielding a $409 million benefit over two years--is included in the economic stimulus bill signed by President Bush on Mrch 9.
This write-off, backed from its inception by NEA, results from three years of effort by Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), with help from Senators Mary Landrieu (D-Lousiana) and John Warner (R-Virginia).
"This legislation is important," says NEA PResident Bob Chase, "Because it recognizes that often school employees go beyond their regular responsibilities, purchasing materials so that they can be better at their jobs and more helpful to their students."
[thank you to Gail Sykes for sharing this information with members]
SACT Elections CompleteDemocrat Jim Hill won the OEA-PIE recommendation for the upcoming Oregon governor race at the OEA-PIE delagate convention April 6. In the only other contest that could be considered a "race," State Senator Susan Castillo won the endorsement for Superintendent of Public Instruction over incumbent Stan Bunn.
In other contests, Bill Bradbury won an overwhelming majority endorsement over no-show incumbent Gordon Smith for U. S. Senate. Incumbent Democrat David Wu easily won over Republican Jim Greenfield for U. S. Representative from the First Congressional District. In other races OEA-PIE supported Peter Buckley, Democrat, for U. S. Representative Second Congressional District; Earl Blumenauer, Democrat, for U. S. Representative Third Congressional District; Peter DeFazio, Democrat, for U. S. Representative Fourth Congressional District; Darlene Hooley, Democrat, for U. S. Representative Fifth Congressional District; and Dan Gardner, Non-Partisan, Commissioner of Labor and Industries.
Members! Do you have a child who is graduating this year? Planning to attend college? Ask your building rep or SACT officer for a copy of the SACT 2002 Scholarship Application. Don't put this off! Forms must be mailed and are due in SACT's Post Office box by May 15, 2002. Applications received later than this date will not be considered.
(More information on scholarship requirements.)
Funding for Oregon's public schools is in great jeopardy due to the announcement that the State of Oregon is $830 million short of revenue to balance the state's budget. February 8, 2002, legislators will meet in a special session to decide how to deal with the recession-driven shortfall. Since schools receive 42% of the state's General Fund, education is expected to be a major focus of the discussion.
It is clear to most Oregonians that public education has experienced major cuts in the last decade. Oregon has the fourth highest class sizes in the country; textbooks are outdated, pay-as-you-play fees have been implemented, electives have been narrowed, and staff and programs have been phased out. Recently in a statewide poll, Oregonians ranked public education as the state's number one funding priority.
OEA is working hard with other members of the education community - superintendents, building level administrators, students, parents, and business leaders - to convince legislators that they should look at existing monies and new revenue sources prior to considering cuts to any statefunded programs - including education. For more information log on to OEA's web site, www. oregoned.org. Click on "Politics and Legislation."
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