PROPOSITION 30 PICKED UP A MAJOR WIN FOR EDUCATION FUNDING IN CA

By Bill Weaver

November 7, 2012 (San Diego)—Governor Jerry Brown has announced victory for Proposition 30. The ballot measure will raise income taxes on the wealthiest citizens in the state and temporarily increase the state sales tax by a quarter of a cent to fund K-12 schools, community colleges and state universities. Prop 30 is expected to raise more than $6 billion in revenue. If it had not passed, schools and colleges would have suffered significant trigger cuts in state appropriations.

After years of massive budget cuts to public education, California voters appear to have passed Prop 30 by a healthy margin. With 95 percent of precincts reporting Wednesday morning, Prop 30 was winning 54 to 46 percent.

Gov. Brown, a Democrat, crafted and championed the ballot initiative, spending weeks campaigning for it.

"I know a lot of people had some doubts and some questions: Can you really go to the people and ask them to vote for a tax?'' Brown asked supporters Tuesday night, according to the San Jose Mercury News. "Here we are ... We have a vote of the people, I think the only state in the country that says let's raise our taxes, for our kids for our schools, and for our California dream.''

On Election Day, Grossmont Union High School District Deputy Superintendent of Business Services, Scott Patterson, advised ECM on what Prop 30's passage or failure would mean for GUHSD.

"If Proposition 30 is not approved by the voters, automatic funding cuts go into effect for K-12 Education.  For the Grossmont Union High School District, our funding would be cut by $507 per ADA for the current fiscal year. This equates to a nearly $9 million funding cut for our District," Patterson said. "If that occurs, we will shorten this school year by 6 days and furlough all district employees for those days.  There are no cuts that would be reversed if Proposition 30 passes.  However, we would avoid the 6 day reduction to our school year."



Molly Munger's Proposition 38 is a big loser. California Secretary of State web site shows that voters shot down Prop. 38 by 73 percent -- no other initiative on the 2012 state ballot lost that badly.

The major defeat comes after multi-millionaire and Pasadena civil rights attorney Molly Munger personally spent $44.1 million on the Yes on 38 campaign. Her husband, Steve English, gave over $3 million to Proposition 38.

Munger and her campaign team, which she and her husband headed up, clearly failed to connect with California voters and effectively explain the merits of Proposition 38.

The failed ballot measure sought to increase incomes taxes for California residents including lower and middle income Californians as well as the wealthy, with that money -- billions of dollars worth -- funneled directly to local public school districts. Unlike Prop 30, Prop 38 focused only on K-12 education, whereas Prop 30 also included funding for higher education.

California Proposition 30

Result        Votes Percentage - As of Nov. 7, 2012, 8:57 AM

(with 100% precincts reporting)

YES.   53.9%.   4,959,206

NO.     46.1%    4,241,246

California Proposition 38

Result        Votes Percentage - As of Nov. 7, 2012, 8:57 AM

YES.    27.7%   2,489,028

NO.      72.3%   6,495,745