This article originally appeared in the September - October 2006 issue of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children.

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Election 2006

Ballot Measures: Schools

Proposition 88: Property parcel tax for education

By Jessine Foss

This measure would provide $500 million for class-size reduction, textbooks, school safety, and better K-12 schools. It would be funded by a $50 tax on each piece of real estate.

Supporters say Prop. 88 would

• Help kids do better in school: “Children need safer schools, more materials, teachers in smaller classes,” says Paul Mitchell of EdVoice.

• Increase school funding: “ California doesn’t fully fund K-12 schools. This would be help meet children’s needs for a modest cost,” says Mitchell. Funds would be allocated according to strict controls.

Supporters: EdVoice, (916-448-3868, http://www.edvoice.org/), California State Board of Education, Jack O’Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Opponents say Prop. 88 would

• Not provide enough funds: It would bring in less than one percent of the education budget but “people would think the school funding problem is solved,” says Nancy Adalian of the California State PTA.

• Lead to unequal funding among districts, says Larry McCarthy of the California Taxpayers’ Association.

Opponents: No on Prop. 88 (916-927-1512, www.noprop88.com), California State PTA, California Taxpayers’ Association

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Proposition 1D: School facilities

By Jessine Foss

The legislature put this measure on the ballot. It would borrow $10.4 billion by issuing bonds to build new K-12 schools ($1.9 billion), modernize current ones ($3.3 billion), relieve severe overcrowding ($1 billion), and build facilities for charter schools ($500 million). Districts would need 50% matching funds to use the money, but poorer districts could get “hardship assistance.” Community colleges and universities would get $2.4 billion.

Supporters say

“Students need modern classrooms, where everything is clean and safe,” says Mike Myslinski of the California Teachers Association. Prop. 1D would

• Relieve overcrowding: Over a million students attend severely overcrowded schools—and schools will get 250,000 more students in the next 10 years, says Myslinski.

• Repair schools: By improving school and playground safety, taking out asbestos, and repairing roofs.

• Provide needed money: Previous measures raised money for school facilities, but more is needed.

Supporters: Rebuilding California, (www.plan4ourfuture.org), California Chamber of Commerce, California State PTA, California Taxpayers Association, California Teachers Association, Coalition for Adequate School Housing, EdVoice

Opponents say

“Bonds are an expensive way to build schools,” says Thomas Hudson of the California Taxpayer Protection Committee—the state budget should include funds for building schools each year. Prop. 1D would

• Not benefit poor schools because these districts can’t raise matching funds.

• Increase California’s debt. California already owes billions from previous bond measures. If state funds fall short, bonds have to be paid back first.

• Not reform school funding. California spends a lot on kids, but it’s not reflected in what we’re getting back, says Hudson.

Opponents: California Taxpayer Protection Committee (916-991-9300), California Republican Assembly, California Political Review (editorial board)

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Extra resources from the Children’s Advocate bulletin (updated 9-06)

Election 2006 nonpartisan resources

• California Easy Voter Guide offers an easy-to-read election guide with summaries of ballot measures and information on how elections work. Online with other resources, including a sample voter education workshop, at http://www.easyvoter.org/

• Election-Year Lobbying for Nonprofits, from the California Association of Nonprofits, offers guidelines for nonprofits on compiling voting guides, conducting advocacy efforts, and registering voters. Online at http://www.canonprofits.org/

• Health Vote, from the California Health Care Foundation, will provide information after Sept 6 on statewide ballot measures related to health, including pro and con arguments, facts and analysis, and information on financial contributors. Online at http://www.healthvote.org

• Smart Voter, from the California League of Women Voters, offers summaries of ballot measures with pro and con arguments. Online at http://www.smartvoter.org

Voter participation resources

• 10 Steps to voting power, from the Children's Advocate, offers ways children's organizations can encourage parents and others to vote.
  Online at http://www.4children.org/news/904stepe.htm
  In Spanish at http://www.4children.org/news/904steps.htm

• Getting out the vote for kids, from the Children's Advocate, describes 2004 "get out the vote" campaigns by children's organizations and provides voting and election resources.
  Online at http://www.4children.org/news/904votee.htm
  In Spanish at http://www.4children.org/news/904votes.htm

• "Why Should I Vote?", from the Children's Advocate, is a reproducable, bilingual cartoon flyer about why parents and others should vote.
  Online in English and Spanish at http://www.4children.org/pdf/904flyer.pdf

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