Rough Draft Formal Paper 1

Instructor Stacey Knapp

English 1A                                                                                               

October 7, 2012

Proposition 30 - Rough Draft

     There’s a lot at stake this November. The defeat of Proposition 30 will trigger an estimated $5.5 billion in spending cuts at the state level, most of which would come from education. We need to understand that more cuts will destroy what we’ve been doing that’s been working. How can we stabilize the situation and have the ability to not go through every year with layoff notices, larger classes, cut classes, cut number of school days per year and cut services? 

     During the last four years 38,000 teachers were let go in California. California ranks last in the U.S. in the ratio of teachers to students.  We rank 46^th in the country in the Kindergarden through 12^th grade spending per student and have the lowest ratio in the country for counselors, librarians and nurses per student.

     As parent of a 10 year old student I have seen class sizes increase dramatically, faculty layed off, bus services cut back, classroom supplies cut, school classrooms and play grounds dangerously deteriorate and the number of school days per year decrease.

     As a college student, I have seen first-hand the effects of our state education cut backs.  The number of classes offered has largely decreased consistently over the past three years.  Every department has had to cut staff and are currently running on part time employees.  The library, tutoring staff, administration, financial aid, student affairs and list goes on.  Our class sizes have increased and our instructors and school staff are completely over worked.  Yet they stay committed and determined to continue educating.  I am amazed everyday by their dedication.

     California is facing a serious shortage of college graduates.  According to the Public Policy Institute of California, if current trends persist, California will have one million fewer college graduates than it needs by 2025.   Only 35% of working age adults will have college degrees. With further cut backs, California will produce even fewer college graduates which will ultimately bring less money into our economy due to having lower income earners as residents.

     How can we expect our graduates to step out into the world, be competitive in a global economy and help ensure that our communities and country prospers? Isn't our community going to be dependent on these and other students to run our businesses, medical facilities, public safety agencies, schools and universities in the future? Everyone in California needs to contribute and be part of the solution, instead of putting the burden on teachers and parents. 

     If Proposition 30 passes, it would increase the sales-tax rate by one-quarter of a cent of every dollar spent for the next four years. For the next seven years, it would increase personal income-tax rates on upper-income taxpayers. Individuals in California with taxable income of $250,000 will pay an additional 1%, incomes over $300,000 will pay an additional 2%, and incomes over $500,000 will pay an additional 3%.

     How will Proposition 30 benefit Californians?  It will prevent an approximate $5-6 billion in immediate “trigger cuts” to public education, which is planned for the 2012-2013 state budget.  If Proposition 30 is approved by voters, the temporary tax revenues generated will be deposited into a newly created state account called the Education Protection Account to ensure the money is used appropriately. The education funds will be dispersed to K-12 receiving 89% of the revenue and community colleges will receive 11% of the revenue.  This will restore funding to our public schools and restore budget cuts made to our public schools.  The local school governing boards will have authority over how the funds are used via open meetings subject to annual audits.  The funds will not be allowed to be used for administrative costs.

     Education is the key to our state and countries economic success, and the key to our children's futures. Every day there are thousands of students working hard to educate themselves in our county's K-12 system, at Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz and throughout our state. I see that these are very challenging economic times, but we should be outraged about what is happening to our schools.  We need to support our students…these children are our future!