California Special Election: Prop. 1B explained

What Proposition 1B would do: This measure would restore $9.3 billion to schools if Proposition 1A passes.

Quick take: If both measures pass, annual "supplemental" payments to K-12 schools and community colleges would begin in 2011 to make up for recent cuts. The state would have several years to get its books back in order before starting the new payments, which would be drawn over several years from the larger rainy-day fund that Proposition 1A would establish. In putting this measure on the ballot, the governor and legislators won the backing of the powerful California Teachers Assn. for all six ballot measures.

-- Evan Halper

Full text of the propositions

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should voters guarantee money for schools when the state is running a multibillion-dollar deficit?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.

Comments

[sstaff]

Stop the insanity....why don't we just pass every bond and tax increase brought before the voters of California? When is enough, enough? When politians talk about "special interest", aren't we really talking about "government? These dudes have every interest to increase our taxes and propose new bonds...job security for them, and a bad deal for the voters.

[Steve]

Who wants to pay for education when all society gets for its money are high school dropouts, graduates who can't cut 9th grade academics, and juvenile delinquents? If that's not bad enough, half of the students are illegal aliens!

[erin johnson]

Nice, let's vote to bankrupt the state?
It's time we kick all of these measures to the curb along with the california teachers union.

We just don't have the money and you can't tax us to death.

[Figgins]

A "Teachers Union" might sound like it's benevolent, but the California Teachers Union has shown itself to be a "Special self-Interest." When the entire state is in deep kim-chee, this union helps craft a slew ballot initiatives that couldn't get passed in the legislature - even when the legislature is inept!

Vote no on propositions 1A-1E.

[Karen]

Why did they cut so much from LA unified in the first place? Does anyone know if they cut an equivalent amount from all state and city employees? Lord knows, the private sector is taking it's cuts. Or is it just better to cut from the teachers because that will give them the "poor kids" card to play? I am all for putting a cap on the spending. But why does Prop A combine this in the same law that further raises our taxes? Why is there not a 1A. Spending cap, 1B. Raise taxes for an extra 2 years. Doesn't that make more sense? The unions are happy that the two are combined, because when they don't pass, they will still be free to spend, and the government will be free to blame the people of california for causing the budget mess.

[Andrew]

Howard Jarvis we need you again to voice
our refusal to fund ethnocentric illegal benefits!

[John]

I don't think there should be a teachers union or any union in Govt.. The Props are a sham to rip-off the taxpayers for another 2 years. NO ON PROPS 1A!

[BeefMasterX]

I would vote for the education money if it meant California school kids would be able to read, write, and understand how their government works. Whoops, scratch the working government part. It doesn't. Which is why I will vote no.
This is not the Governor at fault, he has performed as well as anyone can with the whack job legislature we have elected. Are there no moderates in California? Do we have to choose between Marxism and Calvinism?

[aaron]

I remember years ago when the state lottery was an issue, was it moral...the answer was that it was to be the answer for california public school funding, there was suppose to be enough moneys for all public schools....years later we find out that it was never the answer, shortly after, yes schools were crying for more fundind.....this proposition is a LIE!, the feds bailouts of wall street are lies also. Californians vote against this proposition! We can show the world we are not paying for anymore lies.

[Peter]

I'm voting for Prop 1A, force a bit of common sense on the state. When times are good, let's save some money instead of inventing new programs to spend it on. What a concept. I will be voting no on 1B. You want to make our schools better? Stand up to the teacher's union. The teacher's union is the largest obstruction to any school reform. Wonder why there aren't more charter school (which generally have better results) or merit pay for teachers, it's the teacher's union. Now it turns out that we can't fire bad teachers, thank you teacher's union. Throwing money at the schools won't work until we break the teacher's union.

[Brandon]

The comments here hurt my brain on so many levels. They evidence a lack of careful thought, xenophobia, and outright ignorance. This is why we should rarely, if ever, bring issues before voters with propositions, do away with the 2/3 vote requirement on budgets, and make districting nonpartisan. This way we get less politicians from the fringes, quicker budgets, and someone to place the blame on when things go horribly wrong. I suppose we get the government we deserve though.

Look everyone likes school funding, but when it's 45% of the state budget and we want to keep promising higher percentages, something's got to give. Our school funding system guarantees dysfunctional government because any increase in school funding becomes the new minimum. Add that to the fact that we rely on highly volatile income taxes for education funding rather than more stable property taxes and we've got a recipe for systemic shortfalls and budgetary problems. There's blame to go around aplenty, but it all started with the Constitutional ban on a statewide property tax, Serrano v. Priest which made education funding a state obligation, and Prop 13 which cut off the funding mechanism for local governments. Of course none of the guy's zealots like to point out that Jarvis was a lobbyist for hotel and apartment owners who benefitted most from the property tax caps. Guh. Yeah, we get the government we put in place kids. Welcome.

[THOMAS46]

Let's face it, it's called management. Our govt. couldn't manage to pass gas after a bowl of beans. And, it's a really big bowl.

Add to that all of the laws passed for special entitlements for some students.

And, duh, it's broken.

Don't blame the teachers, they NEED union protection from all the stupidity flowing from the state & local districts.

[Agent Mike]

CAT is just another special interest, no different the CCPOA and SEIU, There only concern is themselves. Of course CTA has those sad little puppy dog eyes of children to parade in the press and TV adds to sway the voters, but the bottom line is NO MORE MONEY figure out how to use what you have.

[Steve Reno]

I don't understand were the mindset came from that I should have to pay for your liabilities. Why should I pay because you chose to have children. Pay for your own kids.

[Steve Reno]

Erin,

"Nice, let's vote to bankrupt the state? "

It's how every democracy in the history of mankind fails every time. The voters vote themselves money.

[buhbyeCTA]

First step - 'no' on ALL props (well, maybe 1f where they don't get paid until a balanced budget is passed). Second, throw open the state constitution with a constitutional convention and start over from scratch - scortched earth it, baby! Write into the constitution that 'the legislature meets every other year for 3 months', like Texas. No per diem, no permanent legislative offices, no new car every other year.

[Scott Birnkrant]

When society places the needs of educating its children low on its list of priorities, then what should it expect of its future leaders. We will not be able to produce any! To the gentleman who chose not to have children and says the ones who do should pay for education, I wonder if he even cares about the future. Sure, there is a fiscal mess needing a massive overhaul and the ballot measures may not be the answers this time around but we need to to something, and fast. There are lots of kids out there, many very bright, that are at risk of not getting the education enabling them to realize their full potential. We must not forget the future of our state and country is in our kids. We need to find solutions to enabling them to receive quality education. We need to revamp the system and maybe the teacher's unions should start paying a little more attention to the needs of our kids!!!!!!!!!

[Mike N]

The democrat controlled legislature has proven that it cannot be trusted with our tax dollars. We cannot provide these people with more money when they cannot even make sound economic decisions with the funds already absconded from the few of us that actually pay huge tax bills.

I feel most sorry for teachers. Administrators steal the money and keep it from buildings and the classroom (i.e. children and teachers), unions are stealing their hard earned dollars, and the democrat legislature is misappropriating (that means "mis-spending", for all the public school products out there) the funds that should be going to pay and books.

[ay]

That's ridiculous! If my dad suddenly lost his job and the family's income is cut in half, everything gets cut, including education expenses. Why should the state's budget be any different? If the state doesn't have the money, it doesn't have the money. Maybe this will teach the state legislature to save some money during boom time instead of wasting it on useless projects.

[George]

Amazing how anyone can question the value of schools or education for young people and promising this in appropriate tax measures. What are the young worth? Would everyone be happier if public schools were the place that was for the "lowest bidder" and no one is promised anything. I shudder to think of what the streets and our communities would be like if that happens.

[Warren]

as long as there are kids of illegals attending public schools I will vote no on all tax increases for schools.

[Tannim]

Here's what they're not telling you about Prop 1B:

It adds $9.3 billion to the Prop 98 funding base, and that addition stays around to cause even more funds in the future to be added to the public school funding part of the budget, which will result in increased deficits, cuts in other programs, or both, which will cause a call for more taxes or borrowing.

BTW, Prop 1C also adds to the Prop 98 base, by another $5 billion, further compounding the already too-large $23.1 billion deficit.

It's best to vote down the faux spending cap/tax increase/money laundering scam of 1A, and the shell games of 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E. Make Sacto quit trying to be everything to everybody and cut spending down to the basics, to make this once again California, not Utopifornia.

[bruce]

The state must learn to live within it's means. If that means laying off the ALL the state workers that have been added in the last 10-years so be it. Our state government workforce has grown and grown yet the productive taxpayer base is shrinking. Productive members of our society are nearing retirement w/few qualified residents coming up the ranks. We are reaching the breaking point and it will get even uglier in the near future.
Our public schools were great in the 1960s and 1970s but the population was very different in those days. Many of those parents valued higher education while many of today's parents use the schools as extremely expensive taxpayer funded day care.

[monteathp]

The commenter who assumes that a person who has lost their income can still pay property tax must be of the bureaucrat class. They are certain that a person with property is hiding money somewhere. If they aren't well just move on and get someone in that home that can pay up. Contrast that sentiment with the federal government which wants to help folks stay in their homes.

[Art]

$9.3 BILLION for what? It's rewarding a failed education system, California is #49 out of the 50 U.S. states. Why not restructure the system and contracts so they're performance based and competitive? A successful educational system is needed, not billions more taxpayer dollars. Public education in California is looking like a scam, students are the victims.

[Blithe]

We need to recognize the reality that there IS a price tag that can be fixed on youth and education. We have high schools graduating kids that should belong in junior high, the nation is lagging behind other countries in math and science, and all we do is keep throwing money at the problem, "bailing out" a system that we all secretly know is "too big to fail."

Stop throwing money into the black hole of public education. If you stop increasing the funding, there will be more fighting, more competition, for the funds that already exist; and more competition means better results from both students and teachers.

Yes, it may seem a little harsh to deny money to educate children. But we need to stop pretending and just recognize that some kids just aren't meant for school. And if we don't increase funding, we can find out which ones are, and weed out the ones that can't make it. And this isn't totally bad news; those kids who can't pass exit exams can move on with their life and get jobs, or will be more driven than before to try harder.

[just joe]

There should only be one question on the application for any legislative position..... are you a member of a political party? If the answer is yes, they're disqualified. They represent the PEOPLE. They are OUR VOICE. All the childish playground posturing of the political parties have done NOTHING to help California. Get rid of the unions, Dems, GOP and other self serving groups.

[Lornaj]

Arnold, and his friends took the voters for a Big Fat Ride. We Who did not vote him knew we would have a Big Mess. First time a co-worker voted aftering becoming a citizen told me She voted for Arnold. Because Arnold said he would keep the Taxes down. Keeping the Taxes could cost her job, but she never thought that far ahead. We need to increase the State's Budget every year a little in order to keep up, but not the way it has been going Karen and partners are go to have to come Up with some more lies. How about Karen and partners take 10% pay cut?

Scott and George if you were property owners you be tire being taxed to death. Our budgets are out of shape because the government keeps taking our money. I tire of hearing about The schools not having any money. The school have engough Money to mess up every year. LAUSDA has engough money To create jobs for friends, and especially for the great Mayor.
.

[ew7788]

When people make comments like, the State should learn to live within its means - even if it means firing all State employee's --- what they really mean is:

The citizens of California need to learn to live with less State services, such as: 8 hours waits at the DMV, 30 minutes for Fire services to respond to your house, 12 month wait for fraud/consumer protection services to act when your insurance/real estate agent rips you off.

The State and the State employee's being bashed in everyday, really do provide essential services that people take for granted or don't even realize they are using.

If you think the freeways in California are bad, try driving in a state like Texas (a very low tax state) where they don't even bother to build freeway interchanges outside of major cities (I mean major cities like Dallas).

[David]

the state has to live within it's means - but instead of cutting teachers and firefighters and cops (basic services for ALL the People), how about cutting those pensions and useless administrative positions (fluff and pork).

[Ren]

So - we're willing to completely sacrifice the future of our children for less taxes? I don't trust those fools up in Sacramento one bit, but this is ridiculous! What happens when there are 36 seven year-olds jammed into one classroom, all trying to learn how to read? What happens when the schools do not have any budget money left to run intervention or after-school programs to help catch those kids that just need some extra help? Do we not care? Are we that selfish and greedy?

[davidf]

Most 'conservatives' want to cut public spending, and this is a very rational stand from their position. It will increase the number of conservatives.

[Duane]

I will vote for school taxes when there is a metal desk and linoleum on the floor in the superintendants office.

[James]

As someone who studies public policy and administration I can say that there are three problems. One the state of California's budgeting laws are designed poorly. Second is that the voters created the problem that we are in in 1976 with prop 13. Third the elected officials do not have the leadership skills necessary to change the direction the state is going in. The state is going to fall apart and it's our fault for not demanding real change and our leaders' fault for not showing people that transformational change is needed. These propositions are basically bad patch jobs on a state that has a lot of holes. What is we need is a new state Constitution. Scrap the old convoluted system and rebuild the state.

[IMBILLY]

Why not a "millionaires tax"?? Seriously, California is home to movie stars, Speilbergs and tech billionaires. Why not add a few percentage points to their state income tax bill??? Why must progressive taxation stop at the middle class? Let's get a ballot measure that will jack up state income taxes to 10 % for people making over 1 million dollars and 20% for people making over 5 million and 25% for people making over 10 million. Seems fairer than asking blind people to go without aid, laying off teachers or jacking up taxes on the relatively poor guy raising a family on 100K.

[Joe Bacon]

I have no confidence in Arnold. He has been a totally inept governor who deserves impeachment for his incompetency. That is why I will vote NO on all these gimmicks.

[Outtahere]

I'll be retiring soon and getting out of this state as soon as I possibly can. When the best thing about living here (the weather) becomes the only good thing about living here, it's time to move on.

[Joseph D]

I don't know why CA should live within their means. They never have. We have lived on a false economy for years driven by consumer spending which was driven by the house ATM. On top of that public service employees think they are "entitled" to their jobs and income. Public service pensions - that is a real scam.

[notbuyingit]

there are teachers and others who continually comment about kids being the future of our state; future leaders. well, the current leaders were the future leaders just one generation ago. do we really believe it will be any better in the future? federal funding will continue it's downward spiral as with the state and local tax base. although i don't want any kids of my own, i do believe in the potential of youth. i don't believe, however, that i should be completely optimistic about the future. a very serious reality check is taking place, but many people think props and bonds, etc. are the answer. these bandages fix nothing. a rethinking and reshaping of our social development must take place.

[James Talbot]

So how are the big corporations faring as a result of all these budget cuts? It would appear quite well. Apparently, it's much more convenient to go after those who lack a powerful lobby and generous campaign contributions.

Who lacks a meaningful voice in the political arena? Well, let's see. How about children and the mentally ill?

It seems that efforts for the public good take a back seat when it comes to getting re-elected... it takes money.

[Bob Estes]

It is about timefor California to start to print money.

The Gorvernor should buy a printing press

[Mike_S]

"Gentlemen, we are out of money, we must now think."

Attributed to some Marine General, Sacramento will NEVER start thinking until they realize a true constraint exists on the amount of money taxpayers can afford for their government.

Our fellow citizens who work on our behalf in the State government unfortunately forgot they work for the People of California, the People of California do NOT [go to] work for the Government. 2009 is the year they learn the truth.

VOTE NO

[KK]

No money means no money. Belt tightening time.

[LeeAnn]

I think most of the problems California is facing were created by the bigger worldwide economic crisis. The mortgage issue created by the "everyone should have a home regardless of whether they can pay for it" decimated the real estate values here and had a domino effect. I don't think Arnold can be blamed for that.

That being said, we should not have been budgeting based on the inflated tax revenues in of the 2000's. Whoever said "fire all state employees" needs their head examined. Get a brain.

[Ignorance is More Expensive]

As mentioned above, compulsory education and Prop 13 run counter to each other. The Jarvisites that appeal to people's greed instead of promoting civic responsibility pose a clear threat to the fabric of this great state.

The true shame is that not one dime has been shed from the prison system, while K-12 and post-secondary education has been gutted.

As for those "fat pensions" for teachers - those are funded from their paychecks. Teachers also don't get Social Security, so they won't be weighing down that system as they retire.

[Frank Webster]

Every Empire will fall when the government grows so big that the citizens' tax can no longer support the government spending programs. I think U.S. is rapidly approaching that level.

For all of us to survive, California government needs to drastically reduce its size and spending, no matter what.

Vote No.

[Betsy]

I agree with many of the other comments already listed. This state needs to live within it's means, just as each of us have to do !! To keep our state viable, we need to LOWER TAXES, STOP ENViRONMENTALISTS FROM DRIVING BUSINESSES AWAY WITH UNREALISTIC MEASURES, GET THE PUMPS IN THE SACRAMENTO DELTA GOING AGAIN AND GET WATER TO THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY, AND START GENERATING INCOME FOR OUR STATE WITH ESTABLISHING MORE OFFSHORE OI DRILLING !!

[Naive]

Why do we pay prison guards 5 figure salaries and retirement with full benefits at age 55 when the state is broke? Why do we have to cut school funding when California Highway Patrol officers can retire at 55 and get hired back as consultant at twice their already high salaries? Why doesn't someone do a comparison of salaries and benefits of public employees in California relative to other states? I don't want less government service but I do want more for my money. Stop spending public school funding on unionized bus drivers and unionized landscapers and instead spend it on our kids.

[Sal]

How about a "Foreigner Convenience Fee"? Anyone not born in this state, or say not living here since 1980, should pay $300 a year or so, and start paying into the state since they're benefiting from infrastructure that has been paid for and built up by citizens of this state starting in the 40's and on up to the 70's?

[Barry J Klazura]

There is no link between spending more money and achievement in the schools, so let's stop hearing about how the answer to the school problem is more money. With a 50% drop out rate in high school and students performing below grade levels we are spending more and getting less. And, can anyone honestly say that in the past 4 years when we have added 40,000+ state employees their life is better by one little bit? Few teachers are professionals, they belong to a union the very opposite of professionalism. Reward the good teachers (come on, they are easy to find) and get rid of the dunces. Cut the public service employees as they do not produce, they consume. Learn to live in a realistic budget like the real world. Thank you

[Gimme A BREAK!]

OK LA Times; it IS your obligation/duty/responsibility to TELL US...1) how MANY state employees have been added over 10 years? 2) how many get cars 3) how many get taxpayer credit cards 4) how many AUDITS of these taxpayer PAID freebies have been conducted 5) how FEW have been terminated for theft/abuse..... lastly, DO IT all over again with county and city employees. The NEW WELFARE STATE - CALIFORNIA. SO GLAD, WE LEFT YEARS AGO!!!!!!!!

[CE]

As a teacher, I just want to let you know something. We have been asked now for at least 3 years to trim the fat...what fat? We are now amputating limbs!

[Robert NO longer in LA]

Ballot measure to 1) downsize Govt by 50% - reduce politicians, reduce staff, reduce perks - ALL by 50% effective IMMEDIATELY. 2) criminal investigations for abuse of perks/compensation - NO different that the MPs in England, loading their pockets 3) mandatory LIVE WITHIN YOUR BUDGET + RAINEY DECADE FUNDING - NO budget = NO PAY, NO PERKS...ALL LOST for slothful incompetence. Time to flush the political TOILET, California.

[Citizen Zane]

Its fairly obvious that California is sinking under the weight of its state employees, spending on behalf of illegals, and a free spending state legislation that refuses to face reality. Unfortunaltely, the state employees and the legislature scratch each other's backs at the expense of the rest of the state's citizens.

I fear that the U.S. Government is heading the way of California. As far as I can figure, the only way to stop the madness is to vote in a new Congress - or in the state of California - a new legislature.

http://timeforpitchforksandtorches.blogspot.com/

[aab]

@ew7788: Actually, Texas appears to be in far better shape than California. The residents are happier with their government, the roads are quite nice, the cost of living is much lower and the employment rate is much higher.

[Tannim]

ew7788 hasn't been to TX lately if he makes a crack like, "If you think the freeways in California are bad, try driving in a state like Texas (a very low tax state) where they don't even bother to build freeway interchanges outside of major cities (I mean major cities like Dallas). "

I-10 in rural Texas puts every freeway in CA to shame.

Texas, like Colorado, embraced fiscal restraint and went far. California spent like drunken sailors. Welcome to the hangover.

[Joe]

I really enjoy reading these comments. As someone who lives in Michigan (we're next for the budget meltdown), it's fun to watch California implode. What did you people think would happen after decades of letting government unions dictate state policy? The math simply doesn't work, and now you're paying the piper. I just can't wait to see what's next for the People's Republic of California. Isn't reality a bi*$%?

[Observer]

We spend 60 Billion a year on healthcare in this state.

We need to come to grips and let old people complete the circle of life.....

[Schorsch]

First the cuts and major ones at that. We all have to cut back, why not the teachers?

Especially when one considers that CA teachers are the best paid and among the worst performing in the country. There is therefore no reason to throw good money after bad any longer.
And if in a year the teachers have not bettered themselves, then privatize the schools. All schools. In the short term that would fill the state's coffers and in the long run improve education. If private education is good enough for Obama's children, why not ours?

It is time to send a message: no more tax hikes to subsidize failure.

[Allison]

Sorry CA. I've watched my friends and family lose their jobs and homes yet the state still doesn't get the message that we're all in this together. State revenues continue to increase at 4%, yet the budget still has 8% in yearly increases. NO! The rest of us pay for our healthcare and retire without fat pensions, its time the bureaucrats learned to do the same and manage the money they have.

[Jerry]

This is what I don't understand. The state owes $9.3B to schools. We need an initiative for the state to pay back monies that already belong to schools? This is money that the state stole from every school in the state. An initiative isn't need to do what is right.

[Hugberry]

It is the time to start doing more with less. Parents share the major responsibility for the kid to do well in school.

[GEAH]

"Let's get a ballot measure that will jack up state income taxes to 10 % for people making over 1 million dollars and 20% for people making over 5 million and 25% for people making over 10 million."

IMBILLY, is obviously a product of the California Teachers Association.

Newsflash for IMBILLY! Raise the rates like that and the millionaires will leave the state, taking jobs and tax revenue with them.

I'd ask if you learned anything in school, but I know the answer: They don't teach anything.

[Joe C]

Vote NO on Proposition 1A/1B

Trying to fix the state budget with a tax increase is like trying to cure an addict by giving him more drugs.

It's time for Sacramento to GET SERIOUS about cutting waste.

Why is there no money for schools when billions are spent on flyover ramps just for carpool lanes?

[Tupac Goldstein]

We can get the money from the Obama. He's loaded and passes it out like candy in a parade. Do not worry.

[DIna]

Our children are already paying for the Mexico's children, poor and indigent. When have been for years. Can't do it anymore...

[southoc]

Look, the house is on fire! Let's throw money at it to see if that helps put it out.

May be more wood will stop the fire from burning?

[IVoted]

NO on Measures: 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E

Yes on Measure 1F

[Jospeh D]

This is not about sacrificing children's future. Instead is the first step toward living in reality. CA politicians became drunk on higher taxes that the house ATM gave. Now it is over. The public service employees are out of control. They think they are entitled with hugh pensions and benefits. The state welcomes illegals and give them benefits. Illegals pregnant women come to CA to have their anchor babies.

Look at Octomom. Their are thousands of people that live on the dole. It is time to kick them out and let them live under the bridge. If they want to have a liter of kids. Let them. But no tax money should be given to them.

[tc]

Cali is known as the land of milk and honey. Beautiful climate - all the resources one could ever hope for. Yet its unemployment rate is 3rd behind Michigan and Rhode Island. This state is about to collapse and these knuckleheads want to raise taxes? Insanity! This state and its citizens are ignorant and broke - a deadly combo. Cali can't even sell bonds without the Feds guaranteeing it. Why should Texas supplement our out of control spending. Its game over in this state. I'll be out of here in less than two years, but this place is doomed because it will never take its medicine. Balance the budget and be competitive on taxes or Mississippi’s unemployment rate will be lower than Cali's for the next 50 years. How you like them apples. TC

[jefCostello]

Throw out the illegals. Break the corrupt teachers union and get rid of all social programs. Bring responsibility back to parents. There is no other way. Crying about more money for schools has run it course, those days are over.

[Rick]

1] As long as our legislators spend money like drunken sailors, no amount of taxation will solve our fiscal problems. We're the #7 economy in the WORLD, we now have the highest tax rate of any state, and we're 42 BILLION SHORT!!!

We don't have a revenue problem, people.

2] Think this is bad? Get ready. Exactly what we have done to get ourselves, as a state, into this God-awful mess is what Obama is doing to the country. "As California goes ..." Get ready. Figure out your contingency plan, whatever that is, because it's going to get REAL ugly when the bill for Mr. Obama's plans hits.

3] A top earner in CA gets hit with 39% Fed, 10% state. Throw in property taxes, sales tax, business taxes, auto taxes, etc., etc., and we're getting hit with way, WAY over 50% taxation already.

Explain to me why Texas has created more jobs in the last 18 months than all other 49 states combined. (HINT: Check their taxes.)

Folks, we chose poorly. The right man for the job was Tom McClintock. Who'da thunk?

[Stu Gotz]

Ironic that the ones who are voting YES today are the same voters who elected the inept politicians that led us into the mess we're in now. Quit believing the false promises and scare tactics politicians use to exploit you. Personal ambition and the need for validation, not public service, is their motivation. Legislators of both parties do the bidding of corrupt special interest to line their pockets to win elections, and you don't take them to task for their shameful decisions. Instead those voting YES want to give these charlatans billions more to mismanage. Are you really gullible enough to believe that there are dire consequences if they don't get to take more money when we already pay some of the highest taxes in the country? It's corruption and mismanagement that led us into this point, not lack of tax revenue. Fix the real problem instead of feeding the beast.

[JK]

Why should I pay more taxes to educate the anchor babies of illegal aliens? We are already forced to pay taxes to support schools that perform so poorly it forces many to scrape up the money for private school... no more! I gleefully voted NO!!

[jon]

No matter how much you give to government, they spend it all and then want more.

[kyls]

Education pays for itself through increased wages, and jobs. Well educated citizens breed a healthy economy.

Teacher have done a great job. With declining revenues, and increasing cost, California State Test *CST" scores have climbed over 40%. Many districts are starting to "top out." California State Test is one of the most rigorous under no child left behind.

However, with the low salaries in the State it has become harder and harder to find qualified teachers. As a Union person, I don't even negotiate increases anymore. The District keeps upping salaries to try and attract applicants.

All we do is negotiate how to improve education. We agree with management on many issues, and those we don't we strive for common ground that improves student learning.
That is what the Unions are doing State wide.

Oh, we pay for our own retirement benefits. CalSTRS is a self funded investment fund.

All this money would do is maintain classsize, Build and repair buildings.

If you really want to know what underfunded education looks like see the third world.

This State can't afford not funding Education.

What is true, is that the percent of State revenues spent on prisons since the advent of three strikes has risen from six percent to seventeen percent. That difference is why the state has gone into bankruptcy.

It was the people of California, through the initiative process that asked for it.

We have seen the enemy and he is us.....

[kyle]

By the way the California Federation of Teachers, CFT, the Union, recommended a no vote on all except 1b. Why 1b, because if the california decided taxes should be raised we believe the Schools should receive its share.

CTA is the association. The CFT is the "union." In fact, I heard that in the CTA convention, a no recommendation barely lost.

So yes, many teachers believe that we have to take our fair share of cuts.

We also believe the State needs to priortize its spending.

And we the people need to get rid of the three strikes law for non violent offenders, so the state can get back to building transportation and schools.

[lrg]

These comments illustrate both some fundamental ugliness and the true nature of the problem that affects us. We are in this fix because a small minority of the public, and of the legislature, have the power to hamstring everything. Remember the study published in the Times a few months ago? It demonstrated that many of the districts who send the most right wing representatives to the legislature actually spend MORE state money than they pay in taxes. The dirty little secret is that those counties aren't willing to pay their fair share. The idea of a Constitutional Convention scares me, as I'm afraid of losing many of the rights we cherish, but the state, and the care of its citizens, will go completely down the tubes if we continue to allow a tiny minority of the people, and the legislators, to stop any meaningful budget reforms or agreements. As for the people who don't want to care for poor children or babies of illegal aliens, did the recent epidemic teach you nothing?

[Dave C]

I saw an article the other day that showed that the state of California has six times more state employees than the Canadian Province of Quebec, though both have the same population. Texas is 850 miles across, and just about all the highways are in better shape than California. Texas added more jobs in the last 18 months than the other 49 states combined. In Houston, you can buy a NEW 2400 sq ft house 30 minutes from the city center for $170K. Real estate taxes are higher, but there are no state income taxes. Unemployment is low, schools are good, and best of all, right to work laws keep unions from running roughshod over workers. If you want to join a union, fine, but you don't have to and the union can't lock you out. Oh yeah, gas is $2.10 a gallon and plates are $80 a year for a new car.

Wake up people.

[ephy]

The notion/fear of poor education quality due to increased class size is absurd. I am a LEGAL immigrant of US (now a citizen), I grew up in Asia and attended “public” elementary and middle school overseas. Ever since first grade, the student to teacher ratio in all of my classes have always been at least 50:1 and yet students in Asia excel in math, science, etc year over year compared to students here in U.S. So perhaps the teachers here in California need to take a look and see how are the kids taught in Korea/Japan/China/Singapore/Taiwan? Why is it that they are able to sustain high test scores even with an unimaginable (to teachers here) student to teacher ratio? The teachers should band together and revolt against the union. Flush out all the teachers that’s near retirement, flush out all the teachers that’s not performing and demand salary increase on merit/performance only. We in the private sector are subject to annual performance review and so should anyone that makes money off our tax money. WE are your employer, not the State of California or the Union. I agree with many comments here that we need to do something about these illegal immigrant students in CA. I am an immigrant myself and my parents have worked so hard and gave up so much so their children can live the “American Dream”. Money were tight when we moved to US but NOT ONCE had my parents asked the gov’t to help us (no food stamps, no aid), they didn’t believe in entitlement and taught us the same. I am 30 and making nearly 100K a year, paid off all my student loans, pay my taxes on time, no fancy car, live frugally....so why can’t our gov’t do the same? when will they wake up and smell the reality?

[Rodney King]

Can't we all just get along?

[Ed]

Whoever said California and Quebec have the same population is drinking too much moonshine.
Quebec population is 7.5 mil
California 37 mil

I would hope California has at least as many government employees as Quebec.

[TxRon]

The truth is you can live in a low tax state and get a good education. The truth is that REVENUE per child is adequate, yet BUDGET per child is shrinking with respect to a school districts revenue. I have yet to figure out where this chunk 30% in my area goes (perhaps administrator salaries and fat union pension funds). In LA that 'chunk' is incredible.