January 28, 2006
Los Angeles - The top governing body of the 335,000 member California Teachers Association has voted to support State Treasurer Phil Angelides in his bid for governor in the coming June primary election and candidates for other constitutional offices.
"Phil Angelides has a commitment to fully fund Proposition 98, which he sees as a floor, not a ceiling," said CTA President Barbara E. Kerr. "He believes getting to the national average in per-pupil funding is not enough and that California should once again be at the top in the resources we give our students." Kerr also praised Mr. Angelides's commitment to reestablish the Quality Education Commission to determine what resources are needed to meet California's high education standards. (See Phil Angelides' statement on CTA's endorsement.)
CTA's State Council of Education also voted to support State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell for re-election to his current seat. "Jack O'Connell has been a fierce advocate for public education, kids and teachers for many years," said Kerr. "Not only did he stand side-by-side with us during the special election, he has fought for education funding, authoring the legislation that implemented Proposition 98 and class size reduction, and he has been at the forefront of ensuring that California schools have high standards and that our students meet them."
In other races, the 800-member policy-making-body also supported John Garamendi for Lieutenant Governor, Rocky Delgadillo for Attorney General, Bill Lockyer for Treasurer, Cruz Bustamante for Insurance Commissioner, and Betty Yee and Judy Chu for State Board of Equalization, Seats 1 and 4, respectively.
"All of these candidates have a strong record of supporting public schools, kids and teachers," said Kerr. "California students deserve a state government that values education as much as its citizens do."
The State Council of Education is comprised of nearly 800 democratically elected teacher representatives from across the state and meets quarterly in Los Angeles to make policy for the organization.
####
The 335,000 member CTA is affiliated with the 2.7 million member National Education Association