How Have Budget Cuts Impacted Your Education? The Nation magazine wants to know!

The Nation is holding a student writing contest and the topic is: how have budget cuts impacted your education?

Now, wherever you are, I know you've got some thoughts on this! From elimination of women's and ethnic studies departments, fee hikes, consolidations and virtually non-existent classes, the stories I've heard from all of you are endless. What rings true in each and every case is that programs and services representing and serving minorities - women, people of color, LGBTQ population - seem to be the first things to go. Furthermore, when tuition is raised and scholarships are cut, minorities are the most likely to be forced out of the higher education system entirely.

I encourage you to submit your personal story and let everyone know why budget cuts are a feminist issue!

In order to be eligible you must be a student or 2010 graduate from an American high school, college or university. All submissions must be unpublished and you must submit them by June 30. Winners receive $1000 cash prize. For full details click here.

Proposed cuts to California's Family PACT Family Planning Program

Governor Schwarzenegger released a proposed budget last Friday that would drastically cut funding for California's family planning program, Family PACT. Family PACT helps fund comprehensive reproductive health clinics that serve primarily low-income or uninsured populations throughout the state. Family PACT funding enables people to obtain essential services like birth control, prenatal care, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, pap smears, cancer screenings and more.

For every $1 the state spends on Family PACT, the federal government matches it with $9. For every $1 the state spends on family planning services, the state saves $9.25 in future medical and social service costs associated with unintended pregnancy. Cutting funding for Family PACT will not help the state budget crisis, it will actually make it worse.

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is leading the charge against the proposed cuts. You can take action from anywhere in the state by calling your legislators and following Planned Parenthood's sample script. You can contact your local affiliate group to find out how to take action in your area.

In Los Angeles, join in a lunchtime rally TOMORROW, Tuesday 5/18 from 12-1pm at the Governor's Office at 300 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, 90013. Planned Parenthood will provide signs.

If you're in California, take action on your campus! Educate students about the benefits of Family PACT and the dire consequences cuts to the program will have. Encourage students to call their legislators and ask them to oppose the proposed cuts.

Save California's Family PACT Program!

Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed cuts to California's family planning program - Family PACT. This cut would hugely impact funding for Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care clinics and would force millions to go without reliable birth control, cancer screenings, STD testing & treatment.

If you're a California resident, please call TODAY (votes are set to happen on Monday):

Speaker Karen Bass at 916-319-2047

Speaker-Elect John A Perez at 916-319-2046

Sample Script:

"Hi, my name is ____________ and I live in [city in California]. I'm calling to urge the (Speaker/Speaker-Elect) to protect family planning services. The Governor's proposed cut to Family PACT is bad for the budget and bad for women's health. Can I count on her/him to reject cuts to family planning?"

Spread the word to everyone you know!

Emergency Rally in Los Angeles at 12 Noon TODAY!

Stand up for women's health and join Planned Parenthood Los Angeles for an emergency rally in Los Angeles TODAY at 12 noon!

Governer Schwarzenegger has just announced his intention to cut funding for family planning services - including the life-saving cancer-screening, contraception and STI testing and treatment services that millions of Californians rely on.

Today, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles will be rallying to thank a long time supporter and ally in the fight to protect family planning, Speaker-Elect John A. Perez, and to stand up against cuts to these vital services!

Where: 320 4th St., Los Angeles 90013.
When: Tuesday, January 12, 12 - 1pm.

PPLA will provide signs.

Hope to see you there!