Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/81027
Far left: California already ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil spending, Governor Jerry Brown told news media. Left: News events pointing out need for Proposition 30 included supporting parents, educators and community members. 30 fails to pass. In addition, money expected to come in from the dissolution of state redevelopment agencies is not likely to arrive this year. "Over the past few years, I have seen dedicated, passionate Community colleges also face a loss of $3.7 million if Prop. than $500,000, pay more income tax. A quarter cent increase in the sales tax rate will still result in consumers paying less sales tax than they did in past years, before a 1 cent surcharge expired July 1, 2011. The income tax increase will expire in seven years, and the sales tax rate increase expires in four years. The governor is hopeful that California's highest-income earn- ers will support the initiative. Why Prop. 30 is a better fit for California public schools With two funding initiatives on the November ballot, voters might be easily confused, es- pecially when one — Molly Munger's initiative, Proposition 38 — refers to a tax for education and early childhood programs. CTA, however, is a strong supporter of Propo- sition 30, the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012. Here's why. CTA supports Prop. 30 because it's the only initiative that begins to pay off California's massive debt to education and will provide funding needed to support schools and public safety services. It is also the only initiative to prevent an additional $6 billion in cuts to schools and colleges this year. "Although the Munger initiative is well- intentioned, it is just too narrowly focused and leaves out higher education and other essential services," says CTA President Dean E. Vogel. "Moreover, funds raised through the Munger initiative cannot be used to fund exist- ing teachers, education support professionals and other school staff. It doesn't go far enough in solving our problems." In addition, the Munger initiative would raise taxes for all income levels for almost all Califor- nians, significantly affecting the middle class. Prop. 30 implements a small tax increase on families with incomes over $500,000, marking a first step in requiring wealthy Californians to pay their fair share. community college instructors disappear from our campuses because of budget cuts," said Linda Sneed, an English instruc- tor at Cosumnes River College. "Students trying to earn their associate's degree or complete their first two years of a four-year bachelor's degree at our colleges have been effectively shut out of our system." Under Prop. 30, only the highest earners, couples making more give you a salary next year of $1 million, would you be willing to pay another $4,500 in taxes?" he said. "I've not met one person who would turn down that deal. "I've gone throughout California and asked people: If I could those who much has been given, much will be required." He added that the state's highest earners "now have an opportunity to give back." As governor, Brown said, he wants to make sure the voters In vintage Brown style, he invoked the Gospel of Luke: "To " understand the stakes. "The people will decide, and whatever they decide, I will carry out. But my preference, my strong recommen- dation, is yes on 30 for California." "This is the most critical issue on the ballot this November, other than the presidency itself," he added, "because it's about the future, it's about our kids, and it's about whether California, as a democracy, can make a public decision for our schools and take this responsibility that, for at least the better part of a decade, has been shirked. " September 2012 www.cta.org 29