CALIFORNIA CLERGY LEADERS SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 30

Top Bishops, Rabbis, and Muslim leaders say “our future is at stake” on November 6

October 30, 2012 (Sacramento)-- Leading Christian, Jewish & Muslim clergy and religious leaders from throughout California issued a powerful statement today in support of Proposition 30, the tax initiative on the November 6 ballot that would raise $6-9 billion to fund schools, public safety, and vital services.

Proposition 30 is the most widely watched initiative on California’s ballot this November. More than $6 billion in cuts to education and other services have already been approved for the current year should the measure fail.  Ninety percent of the revenue raised by Proposition 30 comes from an increase in income tax for the state’s top earners.

California Clergy Statement on Proposition 30

Even as our economy begins its slow rebound from economic turmoil, we know that many Californians, especially those in our congregations and communities, are still reeling from the effects of the recession.  The looming possibility that our schools and essential programs and services will be diminished even further is unacceptable.  Nothing less than the future of our young people, our elders, and our communities is at stake on November 6.

As California clergy leaders from diverse faith and religious traditions, we believe this is the time to resolutely stand for and with our people. We must pass Proposition 30 and begin the critical work of reinvesting in schools and public services. To do otherwise is to jeopardize the future of our young people and further undermine the health and safety of our communities.

We believe that the public debate this election year is not simply about differing political visions, but about competing moral and spiritual values that have profound consequences for our people. The debate is about who we are as a state, the opportunities we all have to live better lives, and the covenant that binds us together.

Given what is at stake, we believe the faith community has a vital role to play in healing our state and our nation. We must shine a light on the pathways that lead toward opportunity and renewal. We must care for and protect the most vulnerable in our midst. We must all contribute our fair share.

On November 6, we must stand with and for our youth and communities by voting Yes on Proposition 30.

Signed:

Abu Qadir Al-Amin

Imam, San Francisco Muslim Community Center

Salam Al-Marayati

President, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Father John Baumann, S.J.

Founding Director and Director of Special Projects, PICO National Network

Most Reverend Gerald R. Barnes

Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of San Bernardino

Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.

Pastor of West Angeles Church, Los Angeles

Presider and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.

Father Gregory Boyle, S.J.

Founder and Executive Director, Homeboy Industries, Los Angeles

The Right Reverend J. Jon Bruno

Bishop Diocesan, Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles

Bishop Yvette Flunder

Founder and Senior Pastor, City of Refuge, United Church of Christ

Rabbi Carla Fenves

Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco

Dr. E. Wayne Gaddis, Sr.

President, California Missionary Baptist State Convention

Rabbi Marvin Goodman

Executive Director, Northern California Board of Rabbis

Reverend Mark W. Holmerud

Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Dr. Maher Hathout

Senior Adviser, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Rabbi Chai Levy

Congregation Kol Shofar, Tiburon

President, Board of Rabbis of Northern California

Bishop J. W. Macklin

Glad Tidings Church of God in Christ, Hayward

Presiding Prelate of the Northern California Metropolitan Jurisdiction of Church of God in Christ

Rabbi Sydney Mintz

Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco

Rev. Dr. Cecil Murray

Chair, USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement

Pastor Emeritus, First AME Los Angeles

John R. Tansey Chair of Christian Ethics in the School of Religion at the University of Southern California

Reverend Dean W. Nelson

Bishop, Southwest California Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Reverend Drew Nettinga

Associate Conference Minister for Covenant Support, Northern California Nevada Conference, United Church of Christ

Reverend Stephen A. Privett, S.J.

President of the University of San Francisco

Shakeel Saed

Executive Director, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California

Most Reverend Alexander Salazar

Auxiliary Bishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Director, Office of Life, Justice and Peace

Rabbi Ron Stern

Stephen S. Wise Temple; Member of Executive Committee, Southern

California Board of Rabbis

Bishop Mary Ann Swenson

Ecumenical Officer, United Methodist Church

Jihad Turk

Interim Dean, Bayan Claremont, An Islamic Graduate School, Claremont Lincoln University

Religious Advisor, Islamic Center of Southern California

Reverend Michael F. Weiler, S.J.

Provincial, California Province of the Society of Jesus

Institutions and titles are for identification purposes only