Iowa State Education Association delivers more than 2,000 messages to the Capitol

DES MOINES, IA (04/22/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) delivered more than 2,000 email messages today to Governor Branstad and House Republican Leaders from educators, parents, and community members in support of increased education funding.

In a special "off-site" lobbying effort, the ISEA joined with education coalition partners in calling for messages to be delivered through Wednesday, April 22, from wherever people could manage. Whether at home, work, or going to the Capitol, messages to legislators need to be heard.

The ISEA received email messages to a special LobbyDay@isea.org site set up to receive them. The messages were printed and hand delivered to Governor Branstad, House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, and Representative Chuck Soderberg.

Education Coalition partners -- including Iowa Association of School Boards, School Administrators of Iowa, Area Education Agencies, Urban Education Network of Iowa, and Rural School Advocates -- all held a lobby day today. Messages from members of those organizations will be delivered to Governor Branstad and legislative leaders as well.

"The tremendous amount of communication the ISEA received from our members and from other citizens across the state in support of increased education funding sends a very clear message to those legislators who are withholding funding. They need to listen to the people," said ISEA president Tammy Wawro. "So many messages written on behalf of students and our schools means there is an overwhelming amount of support for increased funding for public education. House Republicans need to stop playing politics and remember who they work for – the people of Iowa," added Wawro.

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The ISEA is a private, professional organization made up of over 34,000 educators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving public education for all Iowa students.