The Passage of Proposition 30
California’s educational system is in the worst financial situation to date. State budgets have just about dried up for educational funding leaving public schools and higher education gasping for help. A proposed bill by Governor Jerry Brown, Proposition 30 would generate an estimated $6 billion of revenue to fund education and public safety. This would be done by raising income taxes 1%-3%for 7 years on the wealthiest Californians ($250,000 on individuals, $500,000 for couples) and raising the sales tax 1/4 cents for 4 years. This money would save our schools from a collapse and would gear future generations of students towards a successful life. Before our schools get any worse than they are now, a yes vote for Proposition 30 is needed.
The repercussions of Proposition 30 not passing would be felt by all state funded school students and staff. Over half of the California state budget is for funding K-12 and Higher Education. If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass, there would be $5.5 billion resulting cuts for K-12 and $250 million resulting cuts for CSU colleges(www.csusqe.org/chapters). In an article by Carla Rivera in the Los Angeles Times, Chancellor Reed said that if Prop. 30 doesn’t pass, there would be “about 20,000 qualified students turned away, 5,500 class sections slashed, and 1,500 faculty and staff reductions” for CSU colleges. This would put a burden on families who want to send their children to a CSU because of the expensive tuition hike of 5%. Our economy is already in bad condition and making tuition costs for colleges even more expensive results in less college attendees and thus less college graduates. The CSU Finance committee brainstormed some other possible solutions to much needed revenue such as a “per-unit supplement of $372 for seniors who have already accumulated 150 semester units” or “a $200 per-unit fee for any course load of 17 units or more, which is intended to discourage students from enrolling in a number of classes and then dropping some later.” These are some well thought out ideas that help change student behavior. This makes students more conservative while choosing classes and makes students really focus on their current classes. However, these ideas put forth by the CSU Finance Committee will not solve the revenue crisis that colleges face. Cutting faculty and staff, slashing class sections, and turning away students will be the outcome if Proposition 30 fails. If proposition 30 passes, students and staff will not have to suffer any further cut backs.
My perspective as a current community college student has greatly influenced my support for Proposition 30. Cabrillo Community College has had to cut 400 classes in the last few years and has cut 47 full time positions(www.csusqe.org/chapters). I have felt anxiety over not getting into the classes I need. Because of the difficulty of getting into classes, my goal of achieving my AS degree will be prolonged. Compared to my two older brothers and father who all attended Cabrillo College, my experience has been more diminished and fraught with anxiety. With more proposed budget cuts, myself and many other future students will be overwhelmed with the drastic changes that colleges will be forced to make.
In order to increase class offerings, increase faculty, and overall improve the quality of education, schools need more money. Proposition 30 is designed to do just that. However, the contents of Proposition 30 states that revenue will be generated for only 7 years. Proposition 30 is not designed to be a long lasting solution for school funding because the tax revenue will eventually run out. However, now is the time that schools really need the money to save programs and teachers and keep tuition from increasing. According to an article from the Los Angels Times, “state law calls for $4.8 billion in automatic ‘trigger cuts’ to public schools.” The passage of Proposition 30 is the only way to avoid these monumental cuts.
Another Proposition comparable to Proposition 30 is Proposition 38. According to Steven Harmon from the Mercury News, Prop. 38 is similar to Prop. 30 but broadens the income tax hike “on all but those making less than $7,316, with the wealthiest facing the stiffest hike.” The article also stated that if Proposition 38 passes, Prop. “38 would raise $10 billion a year for 12 years.” Proposition 38 is a longer solution concerning revenue for K-12 schools but fails to include Community Colleges and Universities that Prop. 30 would cover. So in contrast to Prop. 38, Proposition 30 is an all inclusive Proposition that supports all public schools. According to an article in the Los Angels Times, if Prop. 38 does pass, the proposed trigger cuts will still go into effect resulting in nearly $6 billion cut. California’s schools are in desperate need of money and Prop. 30 will stop the trigger cuts and restore the current funding dilemma.
This coming November, the residents of California will decide on two measures that will help generate revenue for public schools. Proposition 30 has all the components to evenly distribute money gained from tax revenue. Proposition 38 lacks an important area of targeted funding that Proposition 30 would cover. Californians making over $250,000 a year will have a tax hike but in return, California's educational system will begin to recover. If public schools don't receive any money for the year 2013, the resulting effect will drive public education into the ground. Proposition 30 will reverse the cutbacks to public education that the budget deficit made necessary. Vote yes for Proposition 30 and restore our schools.
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