Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/15938
cent of California’s businesses, and they are the state’s wealthiest multi- state and multinational corporations.” “Proposition 24 doesn’t hurt Cali- fornia’s small businesses,” adds San- chez. “It ensures tax fairness, so that big corporations have to play by the same rules as the rest of us.” Social media play key role The use of social media — includ- ing Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and even text messaging — has played a key role in election campaigns, most notably in the election of President Barack Obama in 2008. And with the November election around the corner, CTA members have already begun us- ing social media to get the word out about important candidates and is- sues. “We are hoping our members will get on the social media bandwagon in our campaign to elect Jerry Brown as governor and Tom Torlakson as super- intendent of public instruction and to pass Prop. 24, to close corporate tax loopholes,” says CTA Board member Jim Groth. “Right now, they can text ‘CTAVOTES’ to 69866 to get the lat- est campaign updates and find out ways to get involved.” Members can also receive targeted e-mails from the campaign by e-mail- ing 2010campaign@cta.org, make use of CTA’s Facebook page, and obtain helpful materials from several web- sites, including www.cta.org and www. standupforschools.org. CTA used some of these social me- dia tools in its Pink Friday campaign in March 2009, and again this year in its March 4 statewide actions. The No- vember election will provide a chance to build on and expand the use of these tools. CTA members most recently helped the National Education Association lobby Congress to pass the Education Jobs Bill, which will save the jobs of an estimated 161,000 educators na- tionwide. That campaign was carried off largely through text messaging and e-mails to the U.S. Senate. Supporters Continued on page 36 “Speaking of fairness,” comments Jean Ross, execut ive director of the California Budget Project, a nonprof- it think thank that advocates for low- and moderate-income taxpayers, “these tax cuts were slipped into bud- get deals at the last minute, with no public input, during the worst budget crisis in the state’s history. In a trans- parent and open process, they never would become law.” The $1.3 bi llion in tax breaks to wealthy corporations could be used for better purposes, such as reduc- ing class size in California schools, buying new textbooks for students, and allowing more students to at- tend college, as well as providing health care to low-income children and seniors. For more information about The Tax Fair- ness Act, visit www.yesprop24.org. To learn how you can become involved in this im- portant campaign, visit www.yesprop24. org/getinvolved. Programs for California Professionals in Education Designed to Advance Your Career degreeinfo@laverne.edu | laverne.edu Credentials and Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctoral College of Education and Organizational Leadership 24 California Educator | SEPTEMBER 2010 America’s One of Best Colleges Forbes Magazine