A question for Californians on this board

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Are you going to vote for Proposition 30, Proposition 38 or just say no to new (more) taxes?

http://news.yahoo.com/california-education-reform-election-campaign-goes-negative-044644334.html

California education reform election campaign goes negative

By Peter Henderson | Reuters – 9 hrs ago

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A battle to save California's schools through ballot box politics is turning ugly as two competing campaigns and their allies train their focus on each other, risking both initiatives.

California voters have shown profound skepticism about raising taxes, but a ballot measure sponsored by Governor Jerry Brown is squeaking by in polls ahead of the November election. However, Brown is promoting his measure in terms that his rival considers unfairly similar to her own, and she is fighting back.

Schools in the Golden State, once the envy of the nation, are now 47th in terms of per pupil spending. State budget crises in recent years have made the matter worse, and Brown's most recent budget depends on revenue from his ballot measure.

Propositions have become a major way for voters to direct California policy, but the process is often messy, as ballots are crowded with initiatives.

This year there are 11. Tax proponents fear both education tax measures may fail because of infighting.

The two launched very similar ads in the last two weeks, led by Proposition 38, the schools tax initiative by activist Molly Munger, which trails with something over 40 percent support in recent public polls.

"Prop 38 sends billions of new education dollars straight to our local schools and guarantees that politicians can't touch it. Thirty-eight will restore the education cuts from Sacramento," said the first Prop 38 ad, released a couple of weeks ago.

Brown's Proposition 30 team echoed that last week.

"Thirty will restore funding for our schools and colleges and prevent billions in new cuts. With strict accountability, money must go to the classroom and can't be touched by Sacramento," its ad said.

"It was grand theft," of Prop 38's themes, and required a direct response, Prop 38 spokesman Nathan Ballard said.

Munger, the daughter of Warren Buffett's business partner, billionaire Charles Munger Sr., added $3 million this week to her war chest, on top of the $31 million she had already committed, and she launched a direct comparison ad on Tuesday.

"Prop 30 sends money in here," the new ad says, showing a cartoon of dollars going into a schoolhouse, "but lets the politicians take it out here," it continues, showing money come out the back.

Brown's plan would free up revenue for use on other projects, but state rules mandate that part of any extra tax receipts be put toward education.

His proposal would raise income taxes for those earning more than $250,000 for seven years and the state sales tax by a quarter of a cent for four years. In the early years it would raise $6 billion annually, and its passage would avoid trigger cuts targeting education built into the current budget.

Prop 38 would raise income taxes, with the wealthiest paying the most. Those earning more than $2.5 million would see taxes rise 2.2 percentage points. It would raise about $10 billion annually for 12 years. In the first four years, 30 percent would go to debt payment, and the rest goes to local schools, which would decide how to use it.

The state Parent Teachers Association, which backs the Munger plan, did not pay for the new ad and does not appear on it. Ballard said many allies of his plan were neutral on 30. "We don't want to put them in an uncomfortable position," he said.

Union chiefs and Democratic politicians backing Brown this week sent Munger a letter, which they released, calling her criticism "disingenuous," her plan "destructive" and urging her to avoid attacks.

Dan Newman, a spokesman for the Brown measure, said his team would not engage in negative campaigning, and he called Munger's criticism of Prop 30 ads "tragic."

"We have five ads, and every one of them is purely positive," he said by email.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Bad_Daddy

[MyLittlePony 340]

Are you going to vote for Proposition 30, Proposition 38 or just say no to new (more) taxes?

chicken scratch.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

chicken scratch.

That's your answer? You didn't say what new tax if any you were going to vote for.

[^_^ 5,021]

Schools in the Golden State, once the envy of the nation, are now 47th in terms of per pupil spending.

This is a good example of liberal media bias. As if spending has anything to do with achievement. California's schools are no longer the envy of the nation because of white flight. Sure, there are Asians too but they procreate late in life and have few offspring and are no match for the indigenous (and yet illegal? go figure) population.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Habitual Offender

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

This is a good example of liberal media bias. As if spending has anything to do with achievement. California's schools are no longer the envy of the nation because of white flight. Sure, there are Asians too but they procreate late in life and have few offspring and are no match for the indigenous (and yet illegal? go figure) population.

The California lottery was meant to fund the California public school system which it did just fine until California passed all those laws giving the money away to illegals. This is the beautiful part though...and I'm loving it. The tax proposition backed by Brown is supported by the greedy teachers union and not all that money will go towards funding schools. Some of it will go towards other bs projects of his and the teachers union of course will get their big cut. The other tax proposition makes sure all the money goes directly towards the schools and the schools get to say how it's spent. California has already had two school districts go broke recently and had to take them both over including the largest school district in the state located in Los Angeles. But this is where it gets really good. One tax proposition is going to cancel out the other. I mean it will split the voters which will mean the voters against any new taxes will win. If and when that happens, California will have to cut an est. $6 billion dollars from their education funding. All that free money they hand over to illegals for free tax payer funded education is going to be GONE! I'm loving it.

[MyLittlePony 340]

Hate to see it but taxes need to be raised.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Hate to see it but taxes need to be raised.

That's the spirit Eric! Someone has to pay for California's high speed rail, California Dream Act, water for Southern California golf courses, the teachers union, and of course CalWORKs.

[^_^ 5,021]

You shouted out Californians and the only one who actually took your bait is Eric. I remember when you used to have game.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

You shouted out Californians and the only one who actually took your bait is Eric. I remember when you used to have game.

I think Bill aka The Patriot may be ashamed of his state and he will most likely avoid this thread like a virus, sasouke usually has something interesting and intelligent to add so hopefully he see's this thread, brother hezekial will of course back new taxes no matter what, and maven doesn't really have any interest in politics. There's more of them and hopefully they post because I'm interested in what Californians think of these new tax propositions.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Bad_Daddy

[^_^ 5,021]

... sasouke usually has something interesting and intelligent to add ...

yes. im always amazed at how easily he stays above the fray.

[MyLittlePony 340]

That's the spirit Eric! Someone has to pay for California's high speed rail, California Dream Act, water for Southern California golf courses, the teachers union, and of course CalWORKs.

I still love my broke state i rather be broke thanlive in cold below temps.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I still love my broke state i rather be broke thanlive in cold below temps.

+1. If only more Californians had that attitude Eric the nearby states wouldn't be getting infested with the California plague by the California exodus.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Bad_Daddy

[^_^ 5,021]

+1. If only more Californians had that attitude Eric the nearby states wouldn't be getting invested with the California plague by the California exodus.

infested, with an f.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I think Bill aka The Patriot may be ashamed of his state and he will most likely avoid this thread like a virus, sasouke usually has something interesting and intelligent to add so hopefully he see's this thread, brother hezekial will of course back new taxes no matter what, and maven doesn't really have any interest in politics. There's more of them and hopefully they post because I'm interested in what Californians think of these new tax propositions.

Sorry. I was distracted. Did you post something?

[MyLittlePony 340]

+1. If only more Californians had that attitude Eric the nearby states wouldn't be getting infested with the California plague by the California exodus.

Might as well stick it out with the illegals. Not moving out of state and never will.