Final Draft

Fernando Guevara

Stacey Knapp

English 1A

8 October 2012

Op-Ed: Prop 30

            Education in America is key, education after high school is an opportunity for those pursuing a higher education; a chance to broader choices of careers. For years our economy has been struggling, forcing the states to cutback. When state spending declines it takes a negative impact on schools, more so in California schools than other states in our country. According to analysis by the California Budget Project; California has recorded a historic low on public school spending because of budget shortfalls. A decade ago, the state lagged behind about $700 per student spending a gap that has been steadily getting enhanced. Currently, ranking 46^th in the United States in K-12 per student spending, whether more spending means for better school, California has spent $2,856 less than the rest of our nation in money spent per student in 2010-2011. Although, the figures are concerning due to California’s greater number of students it faces many trials than other states in America. Senior policy analyst at the project Jonathan Kaplan and author of the report states “The fact there are more students per teacher in California classrooms than any other state in the nation means there’s less attention that can be placed on students with particular needs”(School Finance Facts). It is clear that with California’s great amount of population it is more challenging to teach and yet we are continuing to constantly spend less to discourse those specific needs. Education is the gateway to a prosperous future.

            At one time academics were California’s strong suit. Public schools were good at meeting the set standards and having great test scores, really good quality education. But today the educational system is just a shadow of what it once was, considering all of the cuts that have been made and more cuts to the educational system that are said to happen this upcoming year. Fortunately, California governor Jerry Brown has added proposition 30 to the November 6 ballot; this measure is an incentive to avoid future cuts, as well as a constitutional initiative of repairing the deficit, meaning that prop 30 would alter the states constitution. Proposition 30, if passed, will increase personal income-tax of 1-3 percent on Californians’ making over 250,000 dollars annually and for joint filers making over 500,000 dollars per year for seven years. This increase in income-tax will crudely affect one percent of Californians’. In addition, California’s sales-tax would also increase by a quarter of a cent for four years to be in effect January 1, 2013. That money raised in new revenue will go towards K-12 schools, community colleges and public safety. Eighty-nine percent of the temporary tax would be distributed to K-12 schools, leaving the other eleven percent to community colleges. Furthermore, Proposition 30 inspires public safety. Proposition 30 would guarantee funding to local governments for public safety, counties that are undergoing the new realignment program to ease the overcrowding in state prisons. After, when the polls are closed, votes have been counted repeatedly, and prop 30 did not have enough votes to pass, we will be facing an estimate of 6 billion dollars in “trigger cuts” to many programs in California like rehabilitation programs for the sick, etc. Another, unfortunate increase in tuition would take place resulting in a decrease of enrollment by a near 12,000 students.

Also referred to as Jerry Brown’s Tax Measure, those opposing say this proposition gives the Sacramento politicians a blank check without requiring budget, a pension or an education reform. They argue that proposition 30 is just another schema to raise more money for politicians that we either raise the tax or have no other alternative but to deal with the consequence of more cuts to be made if we do not pass this ballot. Additionally, they claim that our politicians authorized the “bullet train” to be build, an approximate 5 billion dollars in funds that we should be spending on schools. It does not guarantee one dollar to go towards education, proposition 30 is not what it seems. These critics argue Californians’ are being misled that we will never really know where the money goes. But these critics ignore the fact that the money raised from this measure will be deposited into the Educational Protection Account or EPA.

            Like I stated previously, education is key to a prosperous future. I am a current college student this debate in our state affects me directly as well as all other college student. Although, I am not an expert on this subject, doing research I have informed myself on key points of good arguments for and arguments against proposition 30. As a student supporting this ballot is critical, my goals of transferring have been set me back because of all the cuts that have been made and all the cuts that will take place if California governor Jerry Browns’ proposition 30: to raise a temporary taxes to fund education for K-12, community colleges, and public safety  where to not pass.

            College students face restrictions when trying to retake courses, adding on to the increase of fees at all community colleges that have raised in the past year alone from 26 dollars in the spring session of last year to now a 46 dollar for unit in fall of 2012. What is the best direction for California to go? I am ready to stand for this cause, who is with me?

Works Cited

“Proposition 30” Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety.  2012. Web.  8 October 2012.

“School Finance Facts” California Budget Project. 2011. Web. 8 October 2012.

 “Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding” Education Budget. 2012. Web. 8 October 2012.