They are about transferring cash to government workers.
Why do you think they will cut services before reducing pension payouts? The payouts are the priority, plane and simple, for all to see.
I have a cynical opinion about the basic problem with our public schools: Almost all of our politicians send their children to excellent private schools, thus the poor quality of public education does not affect them personally.
If we knew the real truth about California's high school graduation rate, it would embarrass the teachers' union, and voters would be hesitant to put more money into an unsuccessful system.