Community College Association leaders will be beating the drums for John Kerry for President as well as the re-election of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer in the November election.
"John Kerry and Barbara Boxer are clearly the best candidates for our faculty members, our students, our state and our country," said Cathy Crane-McCoy, president of the Community College Association.
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"Kerry will champion public schools, provide the resources our public schools need and oppose vouchers that will drain scarce funding from schools." |
"We are in agreement with our brothers and sisters in the California Teachers Association that Kerry will champion public schools, provide the resources our public schools need and oppose vouchers that will drain scarce funding from schools," Crane-McCoy said. "But we also support Sen. Kerry's positions regarding higher education."
Support for higher ed
Specifically, John Kerry believes that college should be affordable to all people. He supports offering a tax credit on up to $4,000 of tuition for four years of college, as well as simplifying the student aid application process. He also wants to strengthen high school curriculum so that more students will have the skills to succeed in college.
Sen. Barbara Boxer has also been a strong advocate for education and received a perfect voting record on public education issues from the National Education Association, Crane-McCoy said.
"Like John Kerry, Sen. Boxer believes all students should have the opportunity for higher education. She supported increasing the number of Pell Grants to provide money to low-income college students and she supported increasing the tuition tax credit for higher education," Crane-McCoy said.
Members involved
Crane-McCoy and her colleagues will be participating in voter registration drives, phone-banking and walking precincts on behalf of CCA/CTA supported candidates and at least two statewide initiatives.
Those initiatives include Prop. 63, the Mental Health Services Act, and Prop. 72, the Health Insurance Act.
Prop. 63 would expand mental health care programs to thousands of children, adults and seniors by placing a one percent tax on those with taxable income over $1 million. The tax will be used to bolster programs that have been decimated by budget cuts and increased needs.
"We know that we have mentally ill students who can succeed in our college system, but they must have access to adequate treatment. This initiative will help ensure their success," Crane-McCoy said.
Prop. 72 would require large and medium-sized companies to pay for affordable health insurance for their employees. Coverage must include preventative care, major medical care and prescription drugs. Prop. 72 does not interfere with local collective bargaining agreements.
"We are at a crossroads in this state over health care," Crane-McCoy said. People are falling through the safety net as more and more businesses shift health care costs to their employees. Prop. 72 will help keep health care within reach."
In addition to important state and national ballot issues, many CCA members will also have the opportunity to elect new trustees in local elections.
At press time, the Solano College Chapter of CCA had already recommended four candidates to its members in the fall election. Chapter members plan to be out in force to campaign for their candidates, according to Robert DaPrato, chair of the Solano Political Action Committee. Other chapters are expect to follow suit.