Voter Guide: Proposition 38 - Tax to Fund Education and Early Childhood Programs

[Barry]

From the Pacific Sun:

No - This initiative to fund education and early childhood programs is a well-meaning proposal at completely the wrong time. We're all for its intent—a 12-year tax hike based on a sliding scale, bringing in $10 billion a year, perhaps more, for schools, childcare and preschools. But, as history teaches us, similar tax measures competing for "yes" votes on a single ballot tend to drag each other to defeat—and Proposition 30 is the "big ticket" tax-hike-to-fund-education proposition on the ballot. At press time, Prop. 38 was polling at a dismal 34 percent approval; Prop. 30 was at a passable 52 percent. If 38 has no chance of passing, we urge education-minded voters to mark the "no" box here and save your socially conscious generosity for Prop. 30.


CA Democratic Party: No

CA Green Party: No - While the Green Party believes the state of California needs comprehensive tax reform and increased education funding, the Green Party opposes Prop 38 for several reasons.

What do you think?

[jbox]

From the Pacific Sun:

No - This initiative to fund education and early childhood programs is a well-meaning proposal at completely the wrong time. We're all for its intent—a 12-year tax hike based on a sliding scale, bringing in $10 billion a year, perhaps more, for schools, childcare and preschools. But, as history teaches us, similar tax measures competing for "yes" votes on a single ballot tend to drag each other to defeat—and Proposition 30 is the "big ticket" tax-hike-to-fund-education proposition on the ballot. At press time, Prop. 38 was polling at a dismal 34 percent approval; Prop. 30 was at a passable 52 percent. If 38 has no chance of passing, we urge education-minded voters to mark the "no" box here and save your socially conscious generosity for Prop. 30.


CA Democratic Party: No

CA Green Party: No - While the Green Party believes the state of California needs comprehensive tax reform and increased education funding, the Green Party opposes Prop 38 for several reasons.

What do you think?

My reservations about 30 and 38 is 30 institutes a 1/4% sales tax increase which is a regressive tax, hitting lower and middle income people harder and as I understand it most of the 38 tax increase is for high income earners. Also, these sunset provisions of the tax increases are always extended resulting in permanent tax increases. I would prefer the schools decentralize and cut administration rather than continually demand more money. I think it has been shown that throwing more $ at schools doesn't do a whole lot. One proposal I would support is requiring parents go to school to learn how to support their kids education rather than blame the schools and teachers when their kids fail.