Dear Colleagues,

Thanks to your past support for INFOhio, the Ohio Senate version of the next state budget, HB 119, maintains INFOhio's current funding levels and reinstates the Area Media Center appropriation that was removed in the House version. House and Senate versions of HB 119 will now be reconciled by a conference committee with members of both houses and representatives from Governor Strickland's office. The conference committee can increase or decrease any line item, even eliminate already-approved budget provisions.

I call on you – one more time – to support INFOhio at this critical time. Please take a few minutes to contact the following individuals with your messages that explain the importance of full funding for INFOhio and the AMCs. Background information and talking points are available on the INFOhio Web site . Please stress the following points in your message:

-- INFOhio should receive the full funding in both the House and Senate versions of HB 119 (appropriation item 200-426). Give examples from your experience where INFOhio is vital to your students' learning and your colleagues' instruction.

-- Fully fund the Area Media Centers, as in the Senate's amended version of HB 119 (appropriation item 200-431). Explain how the center you use serves your students and educators and how the Digital Video Collection is being successful and needs to be expanded to better support instruction for all Ohio K-12 students.

Because the state budget must be approved by June 30, time is short. I recommend you use e-mail, and then fax copies of written communication. Phone calls to conference committee members' offices and personal contacts are valuable, as well.

Senator John Carey
sd17@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-8156
Fax: 614-752-7188

Senator Tom Niehaus
sd14@mailr.sen.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-8082
Fax: 614-466-7018

Senator Dale Miller
SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-5123
Fax: 614-466-4120

Representative Matthew J. Dolan
district98@ohr.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-644-5088
Fax: 614-719-6998

Representative Larry Flowers
district19@ohr.state.oh.us
Phone: 614-466-4847
Fax: 614-719-6958

Representative Michael Skindell
district13@ohr.state.oh.us
Phone: -614-466-5921
Fax: -614-719-3913

Governor Ted Strickland
S. High St., 30th Fl.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-466-3555
Fax: 614-466-9354

Thank you for any help you can provide INFOhio. We know how important our efforts are to improve student learning. You can help Ohio's leaders understand, too!

Sincerely,
Theresa M. Fredericka
INFOhio Executive Director