Adrian Martino
Knapp English 1A
October 14, 2012
CriticalCrossroads-Proposition 30
There are many valid reasons that Proposition 30 has been placed on this November’s ballot. Proposition 30 provides for a sales andincome tax increase. What it does is raise California sales tax from 7.25% to7.5%. If Proposition 30 is passed, schools will benefit by funding foreducation. Personal income tax for people earning over $250,000 will be higher. In thelast few years over 400 classes have been cut here at Cabrillo College. Sincefall 2011 course offerings have decreased by close to 10%. If Proposition 30does not pass, we will lose some of our tutoring staff as well as services. IfProposition 30 passes it will provide funding K- 12 and higher education.People earning more than $250,000 a year will see their income tax increased.Also, more revenue would come from an increase in sales tax from everyone inCalifornia. Proposition 30 will help California’s education system by raisingtaxes temporally. If Proposition 30 passes there will be an impact right away.I will be voting for Proposition 30 this November.
The Los Angeles Times hasendorsed Proposition 30. Public school and colleges have already received hugecuts to funding. In other words, if Proposition 30 fails there will be evenmore severe cuts. Also, there would be a nearly six billion dollar gap in thestate budget. According to an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times,” If that were tohappen, state law calls for $4.8 billion in automatic "trigger cuts"to public schools, more than $1 billion in cuts to higher education budgets and$100 million in assorted other reductions.” These cuts would have hugeramifications. For example, schools K-12 could be canceled by up to three weeksthis year and next year. Depending on school districts, school has already beencancelled by up to 7 days per year. Another result of 30 failing is that additional severe cuts would beplaced on fire safety and the court system. To me this is really appalling. Californiais not a third world country and we cannot tolerate massive cuts to publicservices. We cannot afford to notprovide a safety net for our students, the elderly, and other basic servicesthat the state government provides. We may not recover our financial health formany years if we do not infuse our budget with the necessary resources that itneeds to recuperate.
Accordingto the Los Angeles Times, universities are trying to spread the word about Proposition30. Depending on what happens at the polls tens of thousands of collegestudents will be affected. I now know this first hand because I am researchingProposition 30 for my English 1A class at Cabrillo College. Proposition 30 hassparked an interest in me because I am a college student who might be affected.This proposition is a very important topic. This includes kindergarten through the 12th grade andcolleges in California. There will be a big impact one way or another,including on parents, students, teachers, alumni, and employers. If Proposition30 does not pass many people will lose their jobs. Also, if Proposition 30fails tuition will go up 5%. Right now Cabrillo college students are paying 46dollars per unit. Money is tight these days. That is why it is important thatProposition 30 passes. Otherwise, therewill be less funding for K-12 and colleges. What this means is the overallquality of education in California will go down. For instance, there will befewer classes available if Proposition 30 fails. An article written by HelenTinna from the Cabrillo Voice states, “If voters reject Proposition 30 thecollege will face a devastating $6.5 million in cuts in 2013.”
Accordingto California state university officials, the acceptance of some students willdepend on whether Proposition 30 is passed this November. Right now the votersare holding onto the linch pin. Again, it is very important that we use ourright to vote. Recently a letter was emailed to students at CSU Monterey Bay.The letter said that enrollment will depend on whether Proposition 30 passes.This fact hits close to home because I live in the Monterey Bay area, and Ihave been thinking about transferring to California State University MontereyBay. Unfortunately, the University of California’s system will face a $250million dollar cut if Proposition 30 fails at the ballotpolls this November. If Proposition 30 fails each student will have to pay $150dollars more per semester. Not to mention there will be less space for studentsand less classes available.
Being a fulltime college studentI am completely aware of the pros and the cons of Proposition 30. This is mythird semester here at Cabrillo College and I can’t imagine if Proposition 30does not pass. If Proposition 30 fails at the polls there will be approximately780 less students here at Cabrillo. Just think about the impact across allcollege students here in California. According to Helen Tinna, a writer for theCabrillo Voice, “If voters reject the proposition, the ramifications would befelt not just at Cabrillo, but throughout California. “ Proposition 30 willprovide 49% of money towards programs in the general fund. Helen Tinna states, “Everydepartment from Human services to Public Transportation will suffer drasticcuts if the budget cannot be balanced.”
Governor Jerry Brown’s plan toincrease taxes on income and sales is a temporary measure. Our CaliforniaGovernor Jerry Brown is in favor of Proposition 30. I think he knows what isbest for California’s educational future. I trust Governor Brown’s proposal tohelp education with the Proposition 30 tax bill on this November’s ballot.Education is a top priority for Californians and Americans.
We have a moral obligation to dowhat is best for others and to consider the impact of our decisions upon others.It is cruel to force huge increases of college tuition upon young adults.Furthermore, at the public school level classrooms are severely crowded. Wherethere were once aides to help in the classroom, there are now none and too manystudents for one teacher. It is also unethical to cut the services to theelderly who, along with children, are most vulnerable among us. Additionally, Iwould like to say if services to fight fires are cut severely, this couldobviously be foolish and dangerous. The long and the short of the matter is weare headed to a downward spiral if we do not support Proposition 30.Proposition 38 is not a reasonable alternative. In fact, its consequences will bedevastating. If Proposition 38 wins, almost immediately 6 billion dollars incuts to schools and other programs would be implemented. I urge you to get outthere and vote on this November’s ballot.
“Yes onProposition 30, no on Proposition 38” LosAngeles Times. Los Angeles Times,
2, Oct. 2012. Web 2, Oct. 2012
“Universitiestry to spread the word about Proposition 30.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times,
19, Sept. 2012 .Web. 19, Sept.2012
Tinna,Helen “Quick Facts Prop. 30” The Cabrillo Voice
September18-October 1, 2012.
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