If it weren't so scary, it'd be funny. Governor Schwarzenegger's "cuts-only" budget is so poisonous for California's children that he's even cutting funding for the Poison Control Hotline! That's right! The Governor's proposal would mean that we'll be the only state in the nation with no poison control hotline. [1]

Imagine, when California families call the hotline in a panic, there will be no one to help them. Who are we going to call? We say, call the Governor!

Join us in reminding the Governor that our children's health and safety are literally in his hands. Call the Governor's office today and warn him that he's leaving us no choice but to call him when our children are sick and in need of immediate help.

Yes! I will call the Governor! 916-445-2841 (Click here now to see a sample calling script of what to say to the person who answers the Governor's phone).

No, I can't call now-but I can click to send an email to the Governor & legislative leaders right now.

The Governor badly needs to hear from real moms and families in California. According to a front page article in yesterday's San Francisco Chronicle, Governor Schwarzenegger is "[reprising his role as] the steely-eyed, sword-wielding strongman" because he thinks voters support these cuts.[2] We need to bring him back to reality by calling his office today!! To underscore your messages, we're going to deliver a real phone to the Governor with our "new" poison control sticker attached.

What's the lowdown? Are they really thinking of cutting Poison Control now? Sadly, yes. This proposed cut is one of many poison pills in this budget for California's children and families. The Governor's budget also includes cutting healthcare coverage through the Healthy Families program and cutting education funding to the bone. [2] These cuts will affect our kids' health and vitality for years to come.

Does the Governor have another option than to cut kid's safety? Of course! California legislators are working on an alternative to the Governor's budget that would save critical programs in our state by raising money through measures popular with the public such as increasing tobacco taxes and closing corporate tax loopholes. [3,4] These revenue raising options would help close our budget gap and spare us from balancing our budget on the backs of our children, elderly and most vulnerable.

Gov. Schwarzenegger needs to hear from real California families, loud and clear-"We oppose cuts to the very services that make our state strong. Revenues must be on the table!"

Yes, I'm dialing right now! 916-445-2841 (Click here now to see a sample calling script of what to say to the person who answers the Governor's phone)

No, I can't pick up the phone. But I will click to send a letter to our key legislators, including the Governor.

Thank you so much for standing with us for CA kids and families.

1. "Poison Control Centers May Be Budget Victims," New York Times, June 29, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/health/30poison.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=poison%20control%20california&st=cse

2. "Goveror stands his ground on budget," San Francisco Chronicle, July 8, 2009. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/08/MN3118KCBS.DTL

3. According to a public opinion poll of 1,008 Californian voters conducted by David Binder Research in May 2009, 75% supported increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages, 74% support increasing taxes on tobacco, and 73% support imposing an oil extraction tax on oil companies similar to those imposed by other oil-producing states. For more details, see: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6220193/Reasons-Prop-1A-Failed-memo

4. According to the poll cited above, 75% of Californians polled oppose cutting public school spending and 68% oppose cutting the state's funding for healthcare services. For more details, see: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6220193/Reasons-Prop-1A-Failed-memo