February 19, 2002

Arnold Schwarzenegger Launches California After School Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 19, 2002

Sacramento, CA -- Actor and children's activist Arnold Schwarzenegger today launched the signature gathering campaign for an initiative to jumpstart after school programs in California. The After School Education and Safety Act would make after school programs available to every public elementary and junior high school in California that chooses to apply. Schwarzenegger is both the initiative's proponent and chairman of the campaign.

"This is an education issue, a crime issue and a working family issue. Every child who wants and needs one should have a safe, educationally enriching and fun place to go after school," Schwarzenegger said. "This initiative will make California the Nation's leader in after school programs."

Joining Schwarzenegger as co-chairs of this bipartisan effort are Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, both Democrats, and former Secretary of Child Development and Education Marian Bergeson, who is, like Schwarzenegger, a Republican. The California Teachers Association and the California District Attorneys Association also announced their endorsement of the proposal.

The After School Education and Safety Act will make available more than $400 million annually to provide matching grants to every public K-9 school in California. The measure will only appropriate money in 2004 or later, when the state's non prop 98 funds grow by at least $1.5 billion over the highest level of any previous year. Extra grants will be available to schools in poor neighborhoods. None of the new funds will be taken from funds guaranteed to education under prop 98.

"I am keenly aware of the fragility of our economy and the resulting weakness in state revenue," Schwarzenegger said. "That's why I chose to fund this not out of new taxes, but out of growth in state revenues. I have included tough trigger points and have deferred implementation until 2004, when most economists expect the economy to be moving again."

Juvenile crime studies show that kids are most likely to be victims of crime or commit crimes between the after school hours of 3 and 6pm. Half of all California kids are now in single working parent homes or homes with two working parents. Studies show that after school programs reduce crime, reduce alcohol and drug use, reduce grade repetition and increase scores on standardized tests.

Schwarzenegger is not new to after school programs and other causes for children. Seven years ago he started the Inner City Games which now serves more than 200,000 kids in 15 cities nationwide. He was chairman of the President's Physical Fitness Council and a worldwide ambassador for the Special Olympics. Recently he formed another after school program in Los Angeles, Arnold's All Stars.

Approximately 450,000 signatures are needed to qualify the statutory measure for the November 5, 2002 ballot.

For additional information, please visit our Web site at www.joinarnold.com.