Sample Letter To Send To Your State Representative

Date

The Honorable (Name)
California State Senate/Assembly
State Capital, Room (#)
City, State, Zip

Re: Governor’s May Revision Proposal 08-09 Fiscal Year

Dear Assembly Member (Name):

**PERSONALIZATION NEEDED** Begin by introducing yourself, tell a little about yourself and the campus you currently attend or attended.

The Governor’s May revision, while seeking to restore some critical funding to the California State University, still falls short of the minimum needed to stop the door from closing on qualified students’ admission to the CSU and from campuses being forced to cut classes. At this crucial economic juncture, it is imperative that the CSU continues to get the resources it needs to produce a highly skilled workforce and increase college-going rates of underserved communities in California.

The CSU still faces $215 million in reduced funding and serious fiscal challenges, plus $124 million in mandatory cost increases not covered by state funds, including rising health care and energy bills. Without funding to mitigate these costs, current students may experience increased class sizes with fewer classes offered.  Additionally, the CSU still may be forced to turn away qualified students from our campuses. 

I believe this is the wrong direction for the state to go and that higher education should be one of the top priorities during these difficult budget times.  Cuts to the CSU will only hurt California’s economy by reducing the number of qualified and trained individuals in key job industries.

I urge the Legislature to recognize the high return on investments in higher education by resisting further budget cuts and making higher education a fiscal priority.  California’s future depends on fully funding the CSU.  I look forward to hearing your response in this matter.

Sincerely,

**(Your Name)