Posted on 12/19/2008 5:40:13 PM PST by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO - Moving to preempt potential budget cuts and not miss an opportunity to claim any sales tax increase as their own, teachers Friday proposed a penny increase in the state sales tax to pay for schools.
Democrats, usually loyalists, have proposed $2.5 billion in cuts to education. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Republicans have also proposed to take from schools to help close a monstrous $41.8 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months
"California's budget process is broken and our students and schools are suffering the consequences, CTA President David Sanchez said in a statement announcing the filing.
"It's time for stable and independent funding that cannot be cut by the Legislature or diverted for other uses," Sanchez said.
The education community already has Proposition 98, which guarantees that schools receive about 40 percent of the general fund, barring emergency conditions.
It narrowly passed in 1998: Yes: 4,689,737 (50.7%); No: 4,500,503 (49.3%).
The 340,000-member CTA will need to collect the signatures of 694,354 registered voters for it to be placed on the ballot.
CTA may have to hurry. It wants the initiative before voters in the next special election, which could be either in March or June, depending on the budget negotiations.
If you have a kid, pay for his education. Is it really that hard.
Teachers need to teach, and not waste their time getting something on the ballot... It is no wonder they are hollering for more..I think schools should be nice, however, some of these newly built high schools around here look like university campuses,acres and acres of elite buildings, sports fields that look like major league stadiums..parking lots that make a shopping center look pale in comparison, lots of “poor’ kids drive to school I guess..
Sounds like a trick to bring in more money regardless of Average Daily Attendance, when we can least afford more money for schools with declining performance AND attendance.
DON’T GO THERE, CALIFORNIA.
I attended my daughter’s Christmas program at her Catholic school tonight. The music teacher was in control. The program was most excellent. It’s a small school and the teachers do it out of a dedication to their religion and their beliefs. No unions need apply.
I was so proud of her and her mates. It was inspiring.
Sure, I pay double. But it is worth it.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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