Adrian Martino
Knapp English 1A
October 16, 2012
Critical
Crossroads-Proposition 30
There are many valid reasons
that Proposition 30 has been placed on this November’s ballot. Proposition 30 provides for a sales and
income tax increase. What it does is raise California sales tax from 7.25% to
7.5%. If Proposition 30 is passed, schools will benefit by funding for
education. Personal income tax for people earning over $250,000 will be higher. In the
last few years over 400 classes have been cut here at Cabrillo College. Since
fall 2011 course offerings have decreased by close to 10%. If Proposition 30
does not pass, we will lose some of our tutoring staff as well as services. If
Proposition 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 in
California. Proposition 30 will help California’s education system by raising
taxes 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 has
endorsed Proposition 30. Public school and colleges have already received huge
cuts to funding. In other words, if Proposition 30 fails there will be even
more severe cuts. Also, there would be a nearly six billion dollar gap in the
state budget. According to an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times,” If that were to
happen, 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 huge
ramifications. For example, schools K-12 could be canceled by up to three weeks
this year and next year. Depending on school districts, school has already been
cancelled by up to 7 days per year.
Another result of 30 failing is that additional severe cuts would be
placed on fire safety and the court system. To me this is really appalling. California
is not a third world country and we cannot tolerate massive cuts to public
services. We cannot afford to not
provide a safety net for our students, the elderly, and other basic services
that the state government provides. We may not recover our financial health for
many years if we do not infuse our budget with the necessary resources that it
needs to recuperate.
According
to the Los Angeles Times, universities are trying to spread the word about Proposition
30. Depending on what happens at the polls tens of thousands of college
students will be affected. I now know this first hand because I am researching
Proposition 30 for my English 1A class at Cabrillo College. Proposition 30 has
sparked 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 and
colleges in California. There will be a big impact one way or another,
including on parents, students, teachers, alumni, and employers. If Proposition
30 does not pass many people will lose their jobs. Also, if Proposition 30
fails tuition will go up 5%. Right now Cabrillo college students are paying 46
dollars per unit. Money is tight these days. That is why it is important that
Proposition 30 passes. Otherwise, there
will be less funding for K-12 and colleges. What this means is the overall
quality of education in California will go down. For instance, there will be
fewer classes available if Proposition 30 fails. An article written by Helen
Tinna from the Cabrillo Voice states, “If voters reject Proposition 30 the
college will face a devastating $6.5 million in cuts in 2013.”
According
to California state university officials, the acceptance of some students will
depend on whether Proposition 30 is passed this November. Right now the voters
are holding onto the linch pin. Again, it is very important that we use our
right 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 I
have been thinking about transferring to California State University Monterey
Bay. Unfortunately, the University of California’s system will face a $250
million dollar cut if Proposition 30 fails at the ballot polls this November. If
Proposition 30 fails each student will have to pay $150 dollars more per
semester. Not to mention there will be less space for students and less classes
available.
Being a fulltime college student
I am completely aware of the pros and the cons of Proposition 30. This is my
third semester here at Cabrillo College and I can’t imagine if Proposition 30
does not pass. If Proposition 30 fails at the polls there will be approximately
780 less students here at Cabrillo. Just think about the impact across all
college students here in California. According to Helen Tinna, a writer for the
Cabrillo Voice, “If voters reject the proposition, the ramifications would be
felt not just at Cabrillo, but throughout California. “ Proposition 30 will
provide 49% of money towards programs in the general fund. Helen Tinna states, “Every
department from Human services to Public Transportation will suffer drastic
cuts if the budget cannot be balanced.”
Governor Jerry Brown’s plan to
increase taxes on income and sales is a temporary measure. Our California
Governor Jerry Brown is in favor of Proposition 30. I think he knows what is
best for California’s educational future. I trust Governor Brown’s proposal to
help 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 do
what 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. Where
there were once aides to help in the classroom, there are now none and too many
students for one teacher. It is also unethical to cut the services to the
elderly who, along with children, are most vulnerable among us. Additionally, I
would like to say if services to fight fires are cut severely, this could
obviously be foolish and dangerous. The long and the short of the matter is we
are headed to a downward spiral if we do not support Proposition 30.
Proposition 38 is not a reasonable alternative. In fact, its consequences will be
devastating. If Proposition 38 wins, almost immediately 6 billion dollars in
cuts to schools and other programs would be implemented. I urge you to get out
there and vote on this November’s ballot.
“Yes on
Proposition 30, no on Proposition 38” Los
Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times,
2, Oct. 2012. Web
2, Oct. 2012
“Universities
try 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
September
18-October 1, 2012.
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