Utah teachers are going to new lengths to get money from the legislature for our children's schools.
Starting today, you'll see their efforts.
Teachers have taken to the airwaves to get out the word on what's become a full-fledged political campaign.
Debbie White/Granite Education Assoc.: "TEACHERS DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO BE POLITICAL, THEY WANT TO SPEND THE TIME PREPARING FOR THINGS IN THEIR CLASSROOM, HOWEVER, THEY'RE REALIZING THAT EVERYTHING IN THEIR CLASSROOM IS POLITICAL."
Rep. Ron Bigelow/(R) Salt Lake City: "THIS BILL HAS THE ABILITY TO REACH INTO EVERY CLASSROOM..."
House republicans pitched their latest plan to give every teacher money for class supplies.
It's a start, but even they know much more is expected.
Rep. Marty Stephens/House Speaker: "WE'VE MADE THE COMMITMENT THAT THIS WILL BE, THE WORD WE'VE USED IS BANNER YEAR, FOR EDUCATION, AND WE'RE COMMITED TO MAKING THAT HAPPEN."
It will take millions to help Utah classes this year.
So teachers have gone beyond the usual phone tree and letter approach.
They've created a series of ads that will run during prime-time.
"WE HAVE A LOT OF CHILDREN IN THE STATE AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE NEED MORE MONEY."
"THE SUCCESS OF THESE ADS WILL REGISTER RIGHT HERE AT THE PHONES OF THE CAPITOL, DEPENDING ON WHETHER PARENTS AND TEACHERS WILL ACTUALLY CALL THEIR LAWMAKERS WITH A MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS."
"OUR TEACHERS HAVE TO STAND UP FOR OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE TOO MANY OTHERS ARE DOING THAT."
In the next phase of this political campaign, teachers will actually be taking their message door to door.
Click here to find your legislative representative from the Utah State Legislature Web Site.
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