CSBA announces support for Proposition 30 extension, facilities bond and other 2016 statewide ballot measures
Published: May 18, 2016
CSBA has announced “support” positions on four statewide ballot measures affecting education that are either eligible or are in the process of qualifying for the November 2016 ballot. The Delegate Assembly reviewed the measures and voted to adopt support positions at its May 14-15 meeting in Sacramento.
“The California Children’s Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2016”
CSBA Position: SUPPORT
Submitted to the secretary of state for verification of signatures on May 11,
this measure would temporarily extend the income tax provisions of Proposition 30 for 12 years, with revenues split between K-14 education and health care. The sales tax provisions of Proposition 30 will not be extended. Extending these income tax provisions, which will otherwise sunset in 2018, could generate as much as $4 billion annually for K-12 education, according to estimates from the Legislative Analyst’s Office. The measure also generates revenue for health care, and supports the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
Gov. Brown’s revised 2016-17 budget, which assumes the loss of Proposition 30 revenues beginning in 2018, estimates a budget deficit of $1.7 billion in 2018-19 and $4 billion in 2019-20.
Statement from CSBA President Chris Ungar: “This measure is critical as we continue to discuss funding levels that public schools need to close achievement gaps and prepare all of our students for college and career. This will help ensure that we retain billions of dollars in necessary funding as we continue to pursue the total resources needed to ensure all students have access to programs and services that prepare them for college, careers and future success.”
Download sample resolution language.
“The Kindergarten Through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2016”
CSBA Position: SUPPORT
Backed by the Coalition for Adequate School Housing and the California Building Industry Association, this state general obligation
bond measure totals $9 billion, $7 billion of which would be devoted to K-12 education: $3 billion for new facilities construction, $3 billion for modernization needs and $500 million each for charter schools and career technical education.
Statement from CSBA President Chris Ungar: “CSBA supports a strong, ongoing partnership between the state and local education agencies for the construction and modernization of school facilities. This bond measure helps continue the state and local partnership, and provides the state’s share to be matched with local funds, and it represents an important step in California’s efforts to prepare the next generation of our nation’s workforce.”
Download sample resolution language.
“The California Health Care, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016”
CSBA Position: SUPPORT
This
increase in taxes on tobacco products (including electronic cigarettes) could generate as much as $1.5 billion (with $1 billion in matching federal funds), of which as much as $45 million would be allocated to the Department of Education for tobacco education and prevention programs.
Statement from CSBA President Chris Ungar: “The bottom line is that the programs created from these funds will lead to fewer young people becoming addicted to tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.”
Download sample resolution language.
The California Education for a Global Economy Initiative (California EdGE)
CSBA Position: SUPPORT
In 1998, voters approved Proposition 227 requiring that all students be taught in English, and that English learners be taught in sheltered English-immersion courses.
This measure repeals those provisions. It also requires pupils to be taught in structured English-immersion programs for the purpose of providing access to core academic standards, and requires that LEAs to provide effective and appropriate methods for language acquisition programs.
Statement from CSBA President Chris Ungar: “The California EdGE measure will ensure that learning English and other languages in public schools remains an integral part of student success, especially considering the diverse landscape of the modern global economy.”
Download sample resolution language.
Find out more about the status of these and other ballot measures from the
secretary of state’s website.