The California Majority Report // STATE'S TOP EDUCATION LEADERS TORLAKSON AND O’CONNELL SAY NO ON PROPOSITION 31

The California Majority Report // STATE'S TOP EDUCATION LEADERS TORLAKSON AND O’CONNELL SAY NO ON PROPOSITION 31:

NO ON PROPOSITION 31

California State Sen. Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and his predecessor in that position, former State Sen. Jack O’Connell, today announced their opposition to Prop 31, a ballot measure that would cap state spending on education.

“With our schools in the midst of a financial emergency, the last thing California needs is to shift millions of dollars away from education – yet that’s exactly what Prop. 31 does,” said Torklason. “And this initiative could even prevent California from investing new funds in our schools when our economy turns around. That’s why I’m joining teachers across California in saying ‘no’ on Prop. 31.”

“Under the guise of ‘reform,’ this stealth ballot measure that would mean less funding for education now and in the long run,” said O’Connell, a former high school teacher and member of the Santa Barbara School Board. “Prop 31 is a poorly drafted, unworkable measure that will harm our ability to properly fund our schools.”

Proposition 31 includes a provision for “pay-as-you-go” budgeting, which essentially caps state funding for schools. Even if the state was flush with revenue, those funds could not be used to boost educating funding. In addition, because it conflicts with Proposition 98, the voter-approved initiative that guarantees increases in education funding, it would likely spur lawsuits and/or require devastating cuts in other state programs.
Proposition 31 is also opposed by the California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers, and the California Faculty Association.

For more information, visit www.Prop31Facts.com