November Election Initiatives

The November 6 election has several issues that are very important to schools on the ballot in California.  Besides placing Measure K on the ballot to extend Berryessa's existing parcel tax by another 8 years, our Board has taken a position on 2 statewide initiatives.  

Our Board voted to endorse Governor Brown's tax initiative, Proposition 30.  Without additional revenue, the state of California will be forced to cut billions more out of the state budget.   Current estimates are that if Proposition 30 fails, Berryessa would lose about $450 per student, which means we will need to cut over $3 million from our budget next year.

Many people in education are supporting Proposition 38, Molly Munger's initiative.  While there are many good things about that initiative and it would help schools if it passed, I want to explain why I believe Proposition 30 is more important.  Proposition 30 would stop the bleeding in the state budget. If Proposition 38 were to pass and Proposition 30 fail, any gains to schools would, at least in the short term, be offset by cuts from the state.  Secondly, Proposition 38 focuses on K-12 schools, but we need to make sure the Community College, CSU, and UC systems are maintained in order to keep California on the leading edge.  Proposition 30 would provide resources that can be used for higher education as well as elementary schools.

Another important initiative on the ballot is Proposition 32.  If Prop 32 passes, it would do damage to California for years to come.  Last week, the Berryessa School Board unanimously voted to oppose Proposition 32.  This initiative claims to be about campaign finance reform.  In fact, it is a measure meant to silence working class families while doing nothing to stop corporate spending on elections. 
Proposition 32 would no longer allow employee labor unions to utilize employee payroll deductions to be spent on campaigns.  Our employees are represented in the state through these payroll deductions.  This year, CTA, CSEA, Teamsters, and other labor groups are helping get the word out about the importance of Proposition 30.  They also work very hard to keep education at the forefront of the legislature's consciousness.  Without the ability to spend money supporting Proposition 30, for example, the voice of our students would be drowned out by the taxpayer associations and business interests that want to cut public school spending even further.

For the reasons outlined above, the Berryessa School Board encourages everyone to learn about both Proposition 30 and Proposition 32.  Most of all, please remember to exercise your constitutional right to vote.