Today at 3:18pm a deal was reached in Lansing regarding the 2011, K-12 State Budget. It was the first time in recent years that this area of the budget was resolved by the start of the next fiscal year for most school districts. This years School Aid Fund (SAF) will allow for an increase of $11/pupil in funding.  This is what we send people to Lansing to do.

Major thumps up!

Now the next big hurdle, what to do with the unanticipated $350 million in the SAF ?  Some legislators want to shift those dollars from the SAF to the General Fund to fill a $300 million gap that currently exists there. Don’t let legislators shift those dollars! In my opinion, it should be used to restore any lost funding, to enhance educational opportunities (afterschool programs, extracurriculars, or specials) or should be saved for a rainy day fund in education. If those funds were intended for schools, they should stay in schools.

President Obama’s visit to Kalamazoo was an exciting moment for our community and highlighted so much about what we are doing right. We are in a great position as the city leading the nation in what going to college should be about.

As an educator, I’ve seen the struggles students go through both in and outside the classroom. If there are too many challenges in the classroom at a young age, we’ll never get those children to college to take advantage of what our community has awarded them. I will bring this knowledge and experience to Lansing.

But most of all, I want to wish the graduating classes of 2010 from all our community schools a very big congratulations and best of luck in their future endeavors…especially my fellow Giants.

Hey Everyone!

There certainly was a huge turn out for the Doo Dah Parade on Saturday. Our crew dressed up in Abe Lincoln gear for the annual parody based parade, sponsored by WKFR and DKI.

We were going for the “Honest Abe” theme and hoping to convey that people finally have a choice of someone they can trust in Lansing. We used this parody because I feel an especially strong commitment to serve the people of the district because this district isn’t just a group of random people that I encountered late in life. Instead, its a district that contains: my family, my friends, and the people who have influenced and raised me. My constituents represent a lifetime of neighbors, co-workers, and to the kids and families that I serve as an educator.

Chris Praedel stopped to quiz children on the route, asking "do you kow who I am?" during the Kalamazoo Do Dah Parade on June 5, 2010. The children excitedly responded "Abe Lincoln!" Supporters along with Chris dressed as Abe Lincoln, in honor of the annual parody based parade.

Even more so, these are the people that I simply cannot let down and will continually keep me grounded in my decision-making. And these are the people that I owe so much and who I care about deeply.

This is precisely why my campaign will not be accepting funds from PACs. All donations have been made from friends, family, local supporters, co-workers, neighbors, and supporters.  And when those funds fall short, I’m putting MY money where my mouth is by contributing thousands of dollars out of my own pocket to assure victory on August 3rd.

After the parade, we walked more neighborhoods and met some more people from the district. We walked neighborhoods all afternoon on Saturday (after the parade) and until 8pm on Sunday.

Its has been a few weeks but we wanted to wrap up the Open Forum sponsored by WMU’s Office of Legislative Affairs held on May 18, 2010.

The event really showed off Chris’ passion and knowledge about the topics. Chris laid out a clear perspective about investing in our children and providing a quality education.

We’ve cut together a few clips from the event for you to watch. The whole event was about 2 hours so we kept it short to highlight a some key moments. Enjoy!

I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on all those that have served our country. This Memorial Day weekend, as we join families to grill out, officially usher in the summer season, enjoy an extended day off, and attend the annual downtown parade—its important to remember all those that have made brave and bold sacrifices for our freedoms. I can’t help but think that those that currently serve and have served before us have made it possible for people like me to run in free and open elections.

On the parade route on Monday, I ran into an old friend from my Middle School and High Schools days (standing along the parade route as we curved onto Riverview Dr). He is currently home for a short leave but has been overseas proudly serving our country as a Marine. I barely recognized him in his military uniform and could hardly believe he was the same guy I grew up alongside.

Each night, when I watch NewsHour on PBS and see names of young men and women scroll across the screen at the conclusion of the show —I can’t help but imagine how much these individuals and their familieis have sacrificed in the name of freedom. It hits home considering that atleast three individuals from my KC graduating class currently serve in the Armed Forces. My elementary friend alone, Brian J., served three tours— split between time in Afganistan and Iraq. I am so immensely grateful that he made it home safely. I think of these guys often.

The Monday parade had an estimated 3,000 parade attendees lined up along the lengthy  route to pay respects to veterans and all those actively serving. Many people held signs of commemoration or eagerly waved mini-American flags. About 100 parade participants remained for the post-ceremony in Riverside Cemetary. We heard patriotic tunes from the Loy Norrix and Kalamazoo Central Marching Bands. Attendees at the post-ceremony heard from a 89 year-old Korean War veteran who stood in the thunder shower to tell his story of service.

We will be posting pictures from the parade on Flikr in the coming days.