Reader Responce 1

I am a full-time college student at Cabrillo College. I recently learned about Proposition 30 in my English 1a class. Learning about Prop 30 has taught me that voters need to pass this proposition in the next election. If voters do not pass Prop 30, there will be big cuts affecting Cabrillo College, other junior colleges, state colleges, the California University system, and grades K-12. If this proposition does not pass, Cabrillo will lose space for 780 full-time students. This will also result in cutting one in thirteen classes, and Cabrillo will be forced to eliminate five average-sized programs or majors.

 In the last few years over 400 classes have been cut. Since fall 2011 course offerings have decreased close to 10%. If Prop. 30 does not pass, we will lose some of our tutoring staff as well as services. If Prop 30 passes it will provide funding K- 12 and higher education. People earning more than 250 thousand dollars a year will see their income tax increased. Also, more revenue would come from an increase in sales tax from everyone in California. 

With such deep cuts in education if Prop 30 fails, California will fall even farther behind in its ability to keep up with foreign countries. California provides less money to education than any other state in our nation, with the possible exception of Arkansas. Public schools are now very overcrowded and teachers are working in a more stressful environment. Many teachers have had their salaries cut in the last three or four years. Support services like custodial services have been greatly impacted. I know this firsthand because my mother, a junior high school teacher, has to clean and sweep her classroom due to layoffs and budget cuts. 

If Prop 30 passes it will help to reduce California’s debt. In turn California will have a healthier economy. More people will be able to take advantage of higher learning because of Prop 30. On the other hand, some people say Prop 30 will destroy small business and kill jobs. According to this website, Prop 30 does not guarantee funding for schools. www.stopprop30.com/

At times it is hard to know what to believe.  I found that there are contradictions on each side, which makes it very hard to know what to believe.  To me this web site is not totally honest. I think it has its own agenda. It talks about raising taxes on all Californians.   This is not true and is misleading voters.

Approximately 40% of California’s state budget is earmarked for education. Without sufficient resources we as a state will fall even farther behind in comparison to other states in this nation, not to mention the world. Everybody who has a concern for the future of California and for its youth needs to stand up and do the right thing, and the right thing is getting out and voting this November at the polls.  Fifty years ago California had the very best educational system in the United States of America.  We can reclaim our former glory.