FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 20, 2012
Contact: Julie White, jwhite@acsa.org, (916) 225-8144

ACSA believes Prop. 32, the Special Exemptions Act, is detrimental to public education because it limits the ability of educators to advocate for students.
 
“ACSA opposes Prop. 32 because it undermines our political voice on behalf of students and schools,” said ACSSA Interim Executive Director Karen Stapf Walters. “We urge you to join the No on Prop. 32 coalition today.”
 
Prop. 32 prohibits educational leaders, teachers and other educators from voluntarily contributing to political campaigns, but it allows special exemptions for billionaires to contribute unlimited amounts to super-secretive PACs, cutting educators out of the political process. It unfairly singles out educational leaders and teachers but does nothing to stop anonymous donors from influencing elections.
 
In a recent column in the Los Angeles Times, “Proposition 32: A fraud to end all frauds,” Michael Hiltzik pointed out the deception behind the measure.
 
“In this state, we’ve come to expect ballot initiatives sponsored by business interests to be, essentially, frauds,” wrote Hiltzik. “But it’s hard to conceive how one could be more fraudulent than Proposition 32. If there was any doubt left that the initiative process has been totally corrupted by big business and the wealthy, this should put it to rest for all time.
 
“The message the perpetrators of Proposition 32 are sending to you, the California voter, is that they think you're stupid. Really, really stupid. When you go to the voting booth or fill out your mail ballot this November, stop for a moment and ponder this question: Should I hand over my vote to people who think of me that way?”
 
ACSA is encouraging members to get involved in the No on Proposition 32 campaign. Visit www.acsa.org/NoOn32 for more information or visit www.stopspecialexemptions.org. 

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