Believe it or not, it’s time once again for California voters to go to the polls. The State’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 6th. Registered voters received official ballot information in early May, and permanent absentee voters received ballots a couple of weeks later.

Up for grabs are the party nominations for state-wide offices (including Governor), U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative from the 10th District, and State Assembly Representatives. There are also a number of non-partisan offices being decided by this ballot. Finally, there are three voter initiatives to be decided: Proposition 81, Proposition 82, and Contra Costa County Measure A. The California State PTA, the Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs and many local PTA units have passed resolutions supporting Proposition 81. Neither the California State PTA nor local PTA units have taken an official position on Proposition 82 or County Measure A. Official, impartial analysis of Propositions 81 and 82 is offered by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office on its website. The respected, non-profit education organization EdSource has also posted valuable election information online.

Proposition 81 would authorize the issuance of bonds up to $600 million for the purpose of financing public library construction and renovation. PTA supports Proposition 81 because community libraries play an important role in supplementing school libraries and providing expanded opportunities for all children and adults to develop skills for lifelong learning. PTA supports Proposition 81 in the hope that every community will have comprehensive library services to meet the needs of its population. Despite predictions that libraries would become redundant with the widespread advent of the internet, libraries have become more relevant than ever. Libraries across the state are experiencing tremendous growth, both in circulation and in patron visits. The PTA believes the impact of this proposition – less than $2 per year per California resident – is a small price to pay for building and renovating dozens of libraries statewide, creating thousands of jobs, boosting local economies, fostering partnership between libraries and schools, fighting illiteracy, and supporting education. Additional information about the PTA’s position on Proposition 81 can be found on the California State PTA website. The Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs and the following PTA units have passed resolutions supporting Proposition 81 and urging all citizens, community leaders, and organizations to lend their support to the creation of this public library bond fund: Burton Valley PTA (Lafayette), Camino Pablo PTA (Moraga), Donald L. Rheem PTA (Moraga), Indian Valley PTO (Walnut Creek), Joaquin Moraga PTA (Moraga), Las Lomas High School PTSA (Walnut Creek), Los Perales PTA (Moraga), Parkmead Elementary School PTA (Walnut Creek), Stanley Middle School PTA (Lafayette), and Walnut Creek Intermediate PTA (Walnut Creek).

Proposition 82 would make one year of preschool (pre-K) available free of charge for all 4-year-olds in California regardless of family income. Funding would come from adding 1.7% to the tax rate on high- income earners. It would also require participating preschools to meet certain state requirements, including teacher credentialing requirements similar to those required of K-12 public school teachers. According to EdSource (a non-profit education “think tank”), Proposition 82 has triggered much controversy, and the issues do not fall neatly into pro and con categories. Issues voters need to consider can be grouped under two major – and complex – questions:

1. If the state were to generate additional revenues of $2.4 billion a year, is preschool the right priority for spending those funds?
2. If preschool is the appropriate spending priority, is the approach taken by Proposition 82 the right one?

Parents are encouraged to learn more about the complexities and impact of Proposition 82 before deciding how to cast their votes.