Proposition 30, Temporary Taxes to Fund Education and Guarantee Local Public Safety Funding, is at the top of the ballot because it includes provisions that require constitutional amendment.
Governor Brown is emphasizing the benefits of the measure for K-12 public education and for community colleges, and its temporary nature. Prop 30 proposes raising sales taxes for 4 years, by .25 percent, and also raising income taxes for 7 years, but only for those with incomes of $250,000 or more.
Proposition 38, Tax to Fund Education and Early Childhood Programs, does not affect sales taxes. It generates revenue via income taxes over the next 12 years, proposing increased rates for anyone with income over $7316 per year, with greater increases for individuals at higher income levels.
Molly Munger and the California PTA are emphasizing the local control over funds that would be ensured via proposition 38, since school districts would be required to conduct open forums at each school and to report on expenditures at the school level. This level of community input in the school budgeting process goes beyond current practice, and is intended to ensure that funds benefit students directly. School boards would be given much more autonomy about how to budget. None of the proposition 38 funds would be subject to any of the restrictions on use that have historically applied on categorical funds awarded by the state to school districts.
The Secretary of State's website includes links to the summary and analysis of both measures that will appear in ballot information mailings, here: Web Link
A recent survey indicates that support for prop 30 is stronger, at 54.5%, and 39.9% of those polled support both measures.
(San Jose Mercury News, Web Link )
What do you think?