Prop. 30 Rough Draft

“Critical Crossroads-Proposition 30”

Adrian Martino

October 6, 2012

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 Prop 30 is passed, schools will benefit by funding for education. Personal income tax for people earning over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars will be higher. 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.

“Yes on Proposition 30, no on Proposition 38” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 2, Oct. 2012 .Web. 2, Oct. 2012

                The Los Angeles Times has endorsed Proposition 30. Public school and colleges have already received huge cuts to funding. In other words if Prop. 30 fails there will be even more severe cuts. Also there would be a nearly six billion dollar gap to the state budget. “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 schools have 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.

“Universities try to spread the word about Proposition 30.” Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times,

                19, Sept. 2012 .Web. 19, Sept. 2012

According to this article in the Los Angeles Times, universities are trying to spread the word about Prop 30. I now know this first hand, because I am researching Prop. 30 for my English 1A class at Cabrillo College. Prop. 30 has sparked an interest in me because I am a college student that might be affected. This proposition is a very important topic.  Depending on what happens at the polls tens of thousands of college students will be affected. This includes kindergarten through the 12^th grade. We will have to wait for the outcome of this November’s ballot. There will be a big impact one way or another, including parents, students, teachers, alumni, and employers. If Prop. 30 does not pass many people will lose their jobs. Also, if Prop 30 fails tuition will go up 5%.

According to California state university officials, the acceptance of some students will depend on whether Prop.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 Prop 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 Monetary Bay. Unfortunately, the University of California’s system will face a $250 million dollar cut if Prop 30 fails at the ballot polls this November. It is vital Prop. 30 passes If Prop. 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. 

                I am a fulltime college student I am completely aware of the pros and the cons of Prop.30. This is my third semester here at Cabrillo College and I can’t imagine if Prop. 30 does not pass. If Prop. 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.

                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 Prop. 30. I think he knows what is best for California’s educational future. I trust Governor Brown’s proposal to help education with Prop. 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 Prop. 30. Prop. 38 is not a reasonable alternative. In fact, its consequences will be devastating. If Prop. 38 wins, almost immediately 6 billion in cuts to schools and other programs would be implemented. I urge you to get out there and vote for Prop. 30 on this November’s ballot.