Dear Puente and Academic Preparation Program Supporters:
 
We just learned that Governor Schewarzenneger has proposed to key members of the legislator that Puente, MESA, EAOP and other UC and CSU Academic Preparation Programs be completely eliminated from the California State budget.  As you know, Academic Preparation Programs allow educationally disadvantage students an opportunity to prepare and attain higher education..  The elimination of such programs would be devistating to communities of low socio-economic backgrounds, first-generation college potentials, and other underrepresented student populations.  
 
We are asking for your IMMEDIATE assitance in contacting the following legilsative offices:
* All Democratic Senate and Assembly members
*Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
*Senator Gloria Romero
*Assembly Pro Tem Lori Saldana
*Senate Pro Tem Denise Ducheny
 
 to DEMAND that UC and CSU Academic Preparation Programs are protected from the Governor's elimination proposal and that Puente, MESA, EAOP and all other Academic Preparation Programs continue to be provided funding and in fact be fully protected from any additional fund reductions (Academic Preparation Programs are currently operating on a 50 % budget than they were three years ago).
 
 
We ask that you assist us in protecting Academic Preparation Programs from eliminiation, and at the same time ensuring that California's diverse student population is reflected in the UC and CSU systems by serving as a pathway to educational equity.
 
For your convenience, here is their contact information:
 
Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny:
Capitol Office
Phone:  (916) 651-4040
Fax:  (916) 327-3522

State Capitol,
Room 5035
Sacramento,  CA  95814
 
Senator Gloria Romero:
Email:  [log in to unmask]" target=_blank>[log in to unmask]
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 2090
Sacramento,  CA  95814
Phone:  (916) 651-4024
Fax:      (916) 445-0485
 
Assembly woman Lori Saldana: