It is clear that the educational system in the state of California is at one of it’s lowest points in decades. With teacher cuts, overcrowded classrooms, lack of funding for supplies and textbooks, and inadequate opportunities for students due to a lack of resources, we are facing a crisis in our state. California once had an incredible system of education, envied by the rest of the United States, but with the budget decline in our current situation, the educational system is falling apart right before our eyes. California governor Jerry Brown proposed proposition 30, which is said to be able to raise about $6 billion in new revenue each year for education and public safety through a 0.25% sales tax increase lasting for 4 years. The proposition would also increase income tax on individuals making more than $250,000 and couples making more than $500,000 per year. If the proposition does not pass, then automatic “trigger cuts” will slash about $6 billion from K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.
As a student community college student with plans to transfer to a California State University in this day in age, I have personally experienced the negative effects of the flaws in California schools because of the lack of money to fund education. I have waited outside of classrooms desperately hoping to be able to add a class, sat in through 2 weeks of classes and still not been able to get a spot. I am dedicated to my education and determined to excel in my major, but it makes it incredibly difficult to push forward when expenses for education are rising, and opportunities for students are at a steady downward climb. Times are tough and changes need to be made in California to help this debacle we’re in, but I don’t think that simply raising taxes is the answer. Our economy is simply too fragile to enforce even more taxes on the public. We are finally recovering from a the crippling recession in 2008. If proposition 30 passes, California’s income rates will be the “highest in the nation-21 percent aboce the second-highest state of Hawaii and 34 percent above the third-highest state of Oregon”. (Greenhut) California is high on the list of most other taxes and regulations, and its wasteful public services are not reform-able because of union power. It raises baffles me why, even though we are in the middle of a recession, and prices prices are inflating, that the inflation in the cost of an education has inflated exponentially more.
______ that I just don’t understand is why public safety and education are lumped together. They are completely separate issues that should be adressed separately.
“productive people are leaving and they will do so more rapidly if this “just tax and spend more” advice is followed” Higher tax rates are making it close to impossible for private business owners in the state of California. Unions, corporations
We are in need of reform, not higher taxes. This problem is not caused by a lack of money for schools, moreso the problem lies with money being channeled into the wrong people’s hands and going god knows where.
“Governmental instability is an understandable reason to flee. In cities that have overspent on lush pensions and wasteful redevelopment projects, traditional public services (infrastructure, public safety, parks, etc.) suffer—something that will get worse as more localities file for bankruptcy.”
The American Dream? Small business owners get the shit end of the stick I have spent much time debating over this issue and have come to the conclusion that if I want something done, I want it done right. Raising taxes in the middle of what is the one of the worst recessions in United States history is not the answer to fixing our national budget crisis. I want to vote for what is MORALLY right, and if we have any chance at a future that will can pull us out of this sticky and complicated situation, we need to ignore those threats of funds being cut, because theyre probably going to be cut someway or another anyway. Instead we need to adress the ongoing question, “where is our money REALLY going?”
The thing about Public Safety is that the state used to cover it, but has since passed on the reigns to local governments. Which aren't holding themselves up to par. So Prop30 wants to get control of jailing, CPS, police/fire, etc. back to the state. Basically it's community improvement that the state it handling. Hope that helps.
ReplyDelete-Payton