Flex Cuts Could Harm the Children
and Families of North Carolina

CONTACT LEGISLATORS IMMEDIATELY 

Dear Smart Start Supporter,

This week, the General Assembly has made significant progress on the budget, including getting very close to an agreement on teacher pay and teacher assistants.

However, we received news yesterday that there is a possibility that the size of the DHHS flex cuts will be increased and our exemption language is being opposed by DHHS. 

Without the exemption language, Smart Start would likely receive a significant portion of the cut. As you all know, this would have a tremendous impact on our ability to provide programs and services to the children and families of North Carolina.

I encourage you all to call the list of representatives below so they are fully aware that:

• We greatly appreciate how hard they are working to maximize limited resources in order to provide teachers much needed raises that would greatly strengthen an education system that our state has become known for. 
• We are also thankful that they have accomplished these raises while also protecting important investments in Smart Start, NC Pre-K, and child care subsidy. However, we need their help protecting funding for early education from flex cuts. 
• Early education is the foundation for all learning. The impact of flex cuts will only compound the problem of asking teachers to do more with less as students arrive in their classrooms unprepared to learn. 
• When the budget includes flex cuts to DHHS, those cuts are passed along to the only state funds that the Department has control over – namely, Smart Start.
• Smart Start has endured a significant portion of these reductions five out of the last six years. In fact, with the last round of flex cuts, early education sustained 80% of the total reduction.
• We need the following language added on page G-1 item 3 of the Money Report:
  "Reduces funds for vacant positions and contracts across the department. The Department has the flexibility to achieve this reduction through the elimination of vacant positions and elimination or reduction of contract costs. Reductions shall not come from contracts funded by a direct appropriation of the General Assembly."

Please contact immediately (Legislative office number, Home office number):

• Rep. Dollar - 919-715-0795, 919-233-8399
• Rep. Burr - 919-733-5908, 704-983-4663
• Rep. Holloway - 919-733-5609, 336-985-0826
• Rep. Johnson - 919-733-5861, 704-932-1376
• Rep. Brisson - 919-733-5772, 910-862-7007
• Rep. Avila - 919-733-5530, 919-280-6084
• Rep. Hollo - 919-715-8361, 828-632-1728
• Sen. Brown - 919-715-3034, 910-347-3777
• Sen. Jackson - 919-733-5705, 910-567-2202
• Sen. Hise - 919-733-3460, 828-766-8329
• Sen. Pate - 919-733-5621, 919-658-3637