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The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012

What is it?
The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012 is a new compromise initiative that brings together the more progressive aspects of the Millionaire’s Tax (sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers and Courage Campaign) and the more responsible structure of Gov. Brown’s original tax initiative. This new initiative taxes the wealthy to provide billions for public schools and essential services, and helps close the state budget deficit.

What are the details?
The measure includes a nominal quarter-cent sales tax increase, which expires in four years, and increases in income taxes on the wealthy, which expire in seven years. Under the new proposal, income taxes would increase as follows:
•   1 percent on households earning $500,000 to $600,000.
•   2 percent on households earning $600,000 to $1,000,000.
•   3 percent on households earning more than $1 million.

When passed, the measure will generate about $9 billion a year for the state budget. Placing the money into the general fund ensures there will be money for schools, colleges and other essential services at the same time it pays down the state’s wall of debt. In addition, it guarantees communities get funding for the realignment of services approved by the Legislature last year. Paying for the realignment will free up about $3 billion a year to be spent on higher education — CSU and UC — and other essential services.

What if it doesn’t pass?
The California budget has suffered huge cuts in every program; from education to universities, from child care to seniors and from public safety to programs for the disabled and needy. This year $4.8 billion in new cuts to schools and colleges are being proposed if this initiative doesn’t pass.

What can you do?
Sign a petition today, tell your friends and neighbors about it, and learn more about tax fairness at www.cta.org/taxfairness.

There’s still time to sign?
Not much, so do it today! Find the three easy steps to gather signatures and the online version of the petition at protectschoolsandpublicsafety.com/petition.

Volume 16 Issue 7 April 2012

State Council votes to support compromise tax initiative

By Dina Martin

CTA Executive Director Carolyn doggett discussed the role of women in labor history during her speech to Council.

CTA and a growing coalition are supporting the new version of the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012.

“We want to make sure our students, families and communities get resources they need,” said CTA President Dean E. Vogel.

The new initiative represents a compromise between Gov. Jerry Brown’s measure supported by CTA and the Millionaire’s Tax Initiative sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers and the Courage Campaign.

CTA’s State Council of Education confirmed support for the tax initiative, allocating up to $9 million to campaign for CTA’s positions. After the vote, State Council members gathered petitions to take back to their chapters to gather signatures to put the tax initiative on the November ballot. Petitions are also available online for signatures at protectschoolsandpublicsafety.com/petition.

State Council members learned more about the Corporate Power Grab, ultimately deciding the initiative (the so-called “Stop Special Interest Money Now Act”) is misleading, unfair and unnecessary. Noting that the measure benefits corporations and hurts middle-class workers and unions, State Council pledged to fight the measure.

Before the actual State Council meeting, the 656 representatives spent hours reviewing and deciding on a wide range of issues, including teacher evaluation proposals, common core standards, school funding specifics and bargaining issues. Issues are brought before the full council, if warranted, after thorough consideration by elected representatives.

Other actions:

State Council elected CTA Board members Don Dawson (District B), Elana Davidson (District F), Leslie Littman (District I), and Kendall Vaught (District M).

State Council elected CTA/ABC Committee members Patrick Riggs (District A), John Lindner (District B), Mike Patterson (District D), Carlos Rico (District E), Loren Scott (District J-LA), and Barbara Franklin (District N).

State Council approved candidate recommendations for the state Legislature and U.S. Congress for the June primary.

State Council honored California Teachers of the Year Kenneth LaVigne of Whittier Secondary EA, Rebecca Mieliwocki of Burbank TA, and Shari Ann Herout of Travis UTA. Mieliwocki is one of the four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.

State Council honored CTA Education Support Professional of the Year Robert Hill of the Ventura Classified Employees Association.

CTA Executive Director Carolyn Doggett discussed the role of women in labor history during her speech to Council. Doggett, who is the first woman to serve as executive director of CTA, said, “It is our responsibility to reach out to younger women, make them feel welcome in the union, encourage them to participate, and build new leaders. It is equally important that you reach out to young women of all colors. One person may not be able to change the world immediately, but our individual actions can make a difference one person at a time.”

Related Tags: Volume 16 Issue 7, Action, Inside Educator, Action Alert, Campaign, Cuts, Educator, Funding, Legislation, State Council, State Government, Teacher,

WE ARE CTA

325,000 MEMBERS STRONG

The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012

Volume 16 Issue 7 April 2012

State Council votes to support compromise tax initiative

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