I have three children in public schools. One in college, one in high school, and one in elementary school, so quality education is important to me.

But when mobs of teacher union officials and union-member teachers show up at the State Capitol protesting, screaming, and demanding that their programs not be cut, it leaves me with the impression that they are being selfish at the expense of the disabled, abused, and other Arizonans struggling in need.

I have met with various teacher union and student association groups and have carefully explained that our state is facing a $3 billion shortfall, that education accounts for over half of all our state spending, and that asking for no cuts to education, is simply not reasonable and not fair to other sectors of our population in need.

I have explained that as a percentage of their total funding kindergarten through 12th-grade education was cut by only 2.3 percent in the fiscal year 2009 budget fix and that was after they were given their annual 2 percent inflationary increase.

I have showed them stacks of post cards, letters and e-mails I have received from the parents of disabled children, from domestic and aged violence victim advocates, from veteran groups, from parents with sick children, all in fear that the budget cuts will cause deaths, increased violence, and loss of programs for those really in need. As a state legislator, I have a responsibility to make sure that all of our citizens be treated fairly even if their lobbying group isn’t as big and powerful.

I will not be intimidated by a national teacher union official from Washington D.C. yelling to the crowd that she "loves power."

As a mother of three children in public schools, education is very important to me, but let’s be fair and equitable about our cuts and realize that there is more than one group in need.

We are going through some tough times right now and sacrifices will have to made by all, but I believe that the problem can be resolved if we work together.