ACSA members are urged to provide leadership on two November ballot initiative campaigns: Yes on Proposition 30, the Schools and Safety Protection Act, and No on Proposition 32, the Special Exemptions Act.
Yes on Proposition 30
The Schools and Safety Protection Act initiative is a balanced solution that will reduce the state’s budget deficit and protect schools and students from deeper cuts. After several years of massive cuts, this initiative helps balance California’s state budget without raising income taxes on those hit hardest by the recession.
“We strongly believe that school communities must rally behind a revenue solution that helps prevent more cuts and uncertainties,” said ACSA Interim Executive Director Karen Stapf Walters. “If the initiative fails in November, public education faces more than $5 billion in additional cuts next year.”
ACSA has officially endorsed the Yes on Prop. 30 campaign, and urges members to join the coalition to help ensure passage of the initiative. Actions sought include endorsing the initiative, participating in media events, speaking to community groups and more.
“As the new school year begins, the Yes on Prop. 30 campaign needs your leadership” Walters said.
No on Proposition 32
The Special Exemptions Act initiative would make it virtually impossible for ACSA and education leaders to have a political voice in advocating for schools, students and the profession.
Prop. 32 prohibits ACSA members from voluntarily contributing to political campaigns, even with written permission, while billionaires can continue to contribute unlimited amounts of money to secretive Super PACs.
Instead of creating a level playing field, Prop. 32 aims to create special exemptions for corporate special interests and billionaires, giving them even more political power to write their own set of rules, while cutting educators out of the political process.
“ACSA opposes Prop. 32 because it undermines our political voice on behalf of students and education leaders,” Walters said. “We urge you to join the No on Prop. 32 coalition today.”
ACSA leaders can help ensure the defeat of Prop. 32 by lending their names to the “no” campaign, speaking to community groups about how Prop. 32 would harm schools and students and participating in media events in local communities.
More information on the campaigns and endorsement forms for Yes on Prop. 30 and No on Prop. 32 are available online at www.acsa.org/election.