February 24, 2011 08:42 PM UTC

Denver Needs An Education Mayor

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• by: nancycronk

As one of many politicos who live outside of Denver, I am watching the Denver Mayoral election with great interest. Do people outside of Denver have a vote? No. Does Denver’s Mayoral race affect us? Absolutely. Is it the rest of the state’s business who is elected Mayor in Denver? Definitely.

As Colorado’s largest city, what happens in Denver affects us all. Laws passed, emerging trends, political realities, and budgetary issues that effect Denver are often precursors to the kinds of things we see in surrounding communities later. The reverse is also true.

Denver has more than a dozen candidates running for Mayor, all of whom voters in my state house district (39), state senate disctict (27) and US  congressional distict (6) would give their I-teeth to have represent them. From Senator Chris Romer, the son of beloved Governor Roy Romer, to the well-thought-of Michael Hancock, Denver is fortunate indeed. (This voter would reconsider anyone on the City Council who voted against the pit bull service dog exemption for people with disabilities, however.)

This Mayoral year is heavy on education concerns. Although the school board, and not the Mayor, make decisions regarding the city’s schools, the Mayor is the political leader of the city. The Mayor has the podium, or the bully pulpit, if you will, and the political clout to get things done. He or she also has the attention of the media — both mainstream and internet-based, that can affect change in the minds of the other leaders around him.

With Governor Hickenlooper’s recent proposed budget cuts to public schools of approximately five hundred dollars per student in K-12, and an additional 37 million dollars to higher education, Coloradans across the state are up in arms. Granted, those who understand the budget process and the horror that is TABOR, know that the Governor is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The state budget must be balanced, and there are few places to cut.

The Governor has invited citizens to suggest alternatives. Personally, as an informed voter, I understand education is the single most powerful  investment to impact the future of any state. I personally would be willing to have higher taxes, pay much higher fees for every governmental service across the board, and am  willing to sacrifice using state parks and highways, if that is what it would take to save our schools.

When we invest in the next generation, we invest in problem-solvers who will handle every problem that comes along for decades to come. When we invest in preschool education, we are investing in the child for his/her lifetime. When we invest in higher education, we invest in the parents of the next generation. Wise legislators, like Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana, understand this.

The City of Denver and the people of Colorado need a leader in education to get us through this mess, who can think outside the box. We need a leader who grew up in a family that absolutely depended on public education — as most of our families do in Colorado. We need a leader who has committed his or her life to educating our state’s future generations, and understands the importance of investing in our children. We need a leader who is not afraid of standing up to political pressures. We need a leader who understands that when you invest in children and families before they start school, they perform better as students all the way up, from kindergarten through graduate school. We need a leader who understands that a well-educated populace brings jobs and prosperity to the state, and ultimately, safe streets for everyone.

I believe that leader is James Mejia. Just today, James Mejia released a press release calling on the Governor to restore education funding.

I do not work for James Mejia, and I have not been paid to write this article. (But hey, James, if you want to hire me, give me a call. I’ll gladly quit blogging for a few months on this race in order to help you out.) I have written this diary because I desperately believe that our schools need to be funded, and funded well.

I challenge all of our Denver Mayoral candidates, as well as candidates for Chair in both political parties, to be as courageous and forward-thinking as James Mejia.

I challenge our Democratic Governor, John Hickenlooper, to stand up strongly and confidently in favor of repealing TABOR and increasing taxes — unafraid of the personal political fallout for taking such a stand, as Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer does everyday.

The future of the State of Colorado depends on it.

Mejia Calls on Legislature to Restore Education Funding

Feb. 24, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mejia Calls on Legislature to Restore Education Funding

Mejia asks Joint Budget Committee and Denver delegation to base decision on updated revenue projections, oppose increase in “rainy day” fund

DENVER –  Denver Mayoral Candidate James Mejia today asked the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) and the Denver delegation to the State Legislature to act to restore funding to public education and reduce the proposed $375 million cut in education funding.

Following conversations with members of the JBC, the Denver Public Schools Superintendent and members of the Denver School Board, Mejia sent a letter to the members of the JBC and the Denver delegation, calling on the legislature to:

1.    Make the final decision on education funding based upon updated revenue projections.

2.    Dedicate to education the increased funding that results from higher revenue projections.

3.    Oppose the re-funding of the “rainy day” fund from 2% to 4% and shift the difference to education funding.

In calling for these actions, Mejia noted that the cuts to education recommended by the Governor were based on two month old data, which was the best available at the time but that projections are expected to improve before the JBC is required to act.

“As responsible Coloradans we understand the need for sound fiscal management in tough economic times. As citizens of Denver we fear this will have a catastrophic impact on an already weak public education system,” Mejia wrote. “In DPS our average classroom size is too large, our teachers are asked to perform with inadequate resources and our system is failing too many of our children,”

Addressing the increase of the “rainy day” fund, Mejia wrote “Given the current state of education funding in Colorado, I believe this is indeed a “rainy day” and money should not be diverted from education.”

The full text of the letter sent to the JBC and Denver delegation is included below.

Letter sent to members of the JBC & Denver delegation to State Legislature:

Re:    Education Funding

Governor Hickenlooper’s plan for balancing our budget included a $375 million cut in education funding.  As responsible Coloradans we understand the need for sound fiscal management in tough economic times. As citizens of Denver we fear this will have a catastrophic impact on an already weak public education system.  According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Colorado ranks 40th in per capita education funding.  Reducing our investment in education is not in the best interest of our children, the future workforce of our economy.  I am writing to you as a member of the Joint Budget Committee and Denver’s delegation urging you to restore education funding in Colorado’s budget.

The cuts to education recommended by the Governor were based on two months old data, which was the best available at the time. According to senior members of the Joint Budget Committee the data is likely to improve with updates that will be available before the JBC is required to act.  Additionally, the Governor has recommended increasing contributions to Colorado’s “rainy day” fund from 2% to 4%.  This recommendation is counter to the intent of the statute.  These dollars should be used when the state experiences shortfalls in funding to avoid drastic cuts.  Given the current state of education funding in Colorado, I believe this is indeed a “rainy day” and money should not be diverted from education to grow the “rainy day” fund from 2% to 4%.

I am calling on the Joint Budget Committee and the Denver delegation to:

1.    Make the final decision on education funding based upon updated revenue projections.

2.    Dedicate to education the increased funding that results from higher revenue projections.

3.    Oppose the re-funding of the “rainy day” fund from 2% to 4% and shift the difference to education funding.

In DPS our average classroom size is too large, our teachers are asked to perform with inadequate resources and our system is failing too many of our children.  The Denver Preschool Program, of which I am on leave as the founding CEO, is just beginning to give Denver families the support for early childhood education that is critical to learning success. I believe the proposed cuts to education funding will erase the progress we’ve made with The Denver Preschool Program.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts in the capitol on behalf of all people in Colorado.  Your work is difficult and challenging.  I know there are no easy answers but I believe in the resilience and determination of the people of Denver and our elected officials. We must invest in Denver’s future.

Respectfully,

James Mejia

Candidate for Mayor

City of Denver

End of letter

About James Mejia:

James is a Denver native from a family of 13 children raised in Park Hill.  He is a graduate of East High School, the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University and Princeton University.  He began his work with the City when as a college student he worked summers for Denver Parks and Rec to help pay his tuition, and later went on to become Manager of the Department for Mayor Webb.  James has served on the DPS School Board, elected as an at-large member, is the founding CEO of the Denver Preschool Program (emphasis mine) and was selected by Mayor Hickenlooper to lead the development of the Denver Justice Center, a $425 million bond project which he delivered on time and on budget.  He is one of Denver’s most respected leaders having received the 2009 Community Leader of the Year from 9News and the Denver Chamber Leadership Foundation.  James is married to Dr. Heather Riley. They have three girls; seven-year old “twins by marriage”, Moya and Alexandra and one year old Riley.

For more information about James Mejia, visit www.MejiaForMayor.com