Sample thank you notes 08/09 Budget

Here is sample messaging when writing to legislators and Governor

Please include personal examples of the benefits of OCDEL programs to children and families in your community.Your story can help make the connection for our policymakers that these early education programs affect their constituents!

• Thank you for including increases to Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, Keystone STARS and Child Care Works, and making it possible for the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to continue to serve more children and families. If we want our children and our Commonwealth to succeed, we need to continue to build a quality early education continuum that can serve the diverse needs of Pennsylvania’s young children.

• I understand how it is more important than ever for our Commonwealth to be fiscally responsible and invest in programs that can provide a strong return on our investment. I believe that investment in quality early education needs to be as high a priority as investments in new technologies or attracting new industries to Pennsylvania.

• If we want to provide a workforce that can fill high quality jobs and contribute positively to society and our tax base, we need to continue to provide quality early education opportunities to as many children as possible.

• More than 30 years of research has shown that quality early education can prepare all children for success in school and in life, and those benefits can translate into higher academic achievement and career success.

• In 2007-2008, only 26% of Pennsylvania’s young children had access to publicly-funded quality early education. More children will be served this year, however, this is still only a small fraction of children who can truly benefit.

• Every child is Pennsylvania’s future. Please help our children reach their promise through quality early education.

To find contact information for the legislators that serve you, please visit www.legis.state.pa.us Please cc your letter to your legislators to caucus leadership (contact information below)

To contact the Governor:
The Honorable Edward G. Rendell
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120

You can also email him using this online form

Please cc your letter to the Governor to:
The Honorable Donna Cooper
Secretary for Policy and Planning
238 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Email: doncooper@state.pa.us
Here is contact information for caucus leadership:

Senator Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
President Pro Tempore
Ph: (717) 787-7084
FAX: 717-772-2755
Email: jscarnati@pasen.gov

Senator Dominic F. Pileggi (R-Delaware)
Ph: (717) 787-4712
Fax: 717-783-7490
Email: dpileggi@pasen.gov

Senator Gibson E. Armstrong (R-Lancaster)
Ph: (717) 787-6535
FAX: 717-772-5471
Email garmstrong@pasen.gov

Senator Robert J. Mellow (D-Lackawanna)
535 Main Capitol Building
Ph: (717) 787-6481
Email: mellow@pasenate.com

Senator Gerald J. LaValle (D- Beaver)
Ph: (717) 787-3076
Email: lavalle@pasenate.com

Rep. Dennis O’Brien (R- Philadelphia)
Speaker of the House
Ph: (717) 787-4610
Fax: (717) 787-1339
Email dobrien@speakerobrien.com

Rep. Samuel H. Smith (R - Jefferson)
Ph: (717) 787-3845
Fax: (717) 787-6564
Email: shsmith@pahousegop.com

Rep. Mario J. Civera, Jr. (R - Delaware)
Ph: (717) 787-3850
Fax: (717) 705-1851
Email: mcivera@pahousegop.com

Rep. H. William DeWeese (D - Greene)
Ph: (717) 783-3797
Fax: (717) 772-3605
Email: RepBillDeWeese@pahouse.net

Rep. Dwight Evans (D- Philadelphia)
Ph: (717) 783-1540
Fax: (717) 787-2334
Email: devans@pahouse.net