Las Trampas Creek Council PTA

GET SMART on Education
May 17th, 2009

Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs Legislation Team
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Las Trampas Creek Council of PTAs Website

Legislation Team Web Page

CA State PTA Proposition Endorsements

CA State Voter Information

Contacts
Las Trampas Creek Council , VP Legislation
 Mary Newman
 

Legislation Team
Co-Chairs
Diane Oshima
Sarah Butler
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VOTE This Tuesday May 19th!
Special Election 
Please be sure to Vote May 19th!  Do not leave it up to others to decide the fate of our schools.  Please exercise your democratic right and Vote on Tuesday May 19th!
 
Voting Information
For your local polling location, please go to the following website, Contra Costa County Elections Division and select "My Polling Place".
 
Absentee Ballot Voters: Be aware that the Absentee Ballots must be received by the county on Tuesday, May 19th, so if it's not already in the mail, please deliver yours in person to any polling location.
 
Polls will be open Tuesday from 7:00AM-8:00PM.
 
Major Cuts in Governor's Revised Budget
The Governor's "May Revise", the revised state budget proposal issued last Thursday, May 14th, reflects the very real financial shortfall facing California, now that the state budget deficit has grown to $15.4 Billion!
 
Under the best case scenario, public schools would be cut $3 billion.  If the May 19th propositions fail, Governor Schwarzenegger proposes an even more painful $5.3 billion cut.  These would come on top of education cuts already approved this past February. 
 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said the proposals "offer a choice between devastating and horrific cuts to public schools." 
 
California State PTA Endorses:
Since this election is critical to our schools to help prevent deeper cuts to education, the California State PTA has taken a SUPPORT position on Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C and 1E and is OPPOSED to Proposition 1D.  Much consideration was given to these endorsements voted on by PTA leaders state-wide in the best interest of students and children.
 
If Propositions 1A, 1B and 1C fail, California's budget deficit will immediately increase by $6 billion, on top of the current deficit which the which the Governor reported on Thursday has now grown to $15.4 Billion.  There is much at stake for our students and schools.  California currently is 46th in the nation out of 50 states in per-pupil public education funding.  Further cuts will erode or eliminate programs and staffing that could take years to restore.
The Propositions; Become Informed and VOTE!
The California State PTA recommends the following positions on Propositions 1A-F, summarized below.

PROPOSITION 1A - Stabilizing California's Budget- SUPPORT
Proposal to change various state budgeting practices and mandates a bigger "rainy day" fund.  Would set aside more money during surplus revenue years, to carry the state during lean economic years, to blunt or avoid devastating cuts to schools and health programs. Higher state taxes recently passed would be extended for up to two years.
 
PROPOSITION 1B - Education Payment Program - SUPPORT
The state would make supplemental payments to schools and community colleges beginning in 2011-12, when the economy is expected to improve.  1B would replace $9.3  billion in funding cuts of recent years, over time.
 
PROPOSITION 1C -  Lottery Modernization Act - SUPPORT
Makes major changes to the California Lottery to seek increases in lottery ticket sales, and allow the state to borrow $5 billion in the 2009-10 fiscal year from future lottery profits. In addition, the state could borrow more from lottery profits in future years. Under the measure, lottery profits now dedicated to schools and colleges would be used to pay back the borrowing. The measure would increase state payments to education from the state General Fund to make up for the loss of these lottery payments.
 
PROPOSITION 1D - OPPOSE
This measure transfers monies away from First 5 programs created by Proposition 10 (1998) for a period of five years, with the intent that the funds be used to protect health and human service programs for children supported by the state's General Fund. The measure makes other programmatic changes to how First 5 funds may be spent. 
 
PROPOSITION 1E - SUPPORT
This measure transfers monies away from mental health programs funded by Proposition 63 (2004) for a period of two years. The monies would go into the state General Fund to support mental health services. 
 
PROPOSITION 1F - NO POSITION
This measure prohibits legislators and the Governor from receiving pay raises when the state budget is running a deficit.
 
Please read your ballot carefully and be sure to VOTE on Tuesday!  Help spread the word by talking to friends and neighbors and forward this e-mail to other California voters.
 
For more information: 

GET SMART On Education provides information about issues and legislation that affect public education in the Lamorinda and Walnut Creek communities  The Las Trampas Creek Legislation Team provides links to expert and government reports, and encourages active citizenship to voice your views about government decisions that affect school funding and programs. The Legislation Team is a committee of the Las Trampas Creek Council PTA serving local school communities within the Acalanes Union High School District attendance area. The Legislation Team meets monthly throughout the year and welcomes all to participate.