CTA is encouraging teachers to work for the election of several candidates for statewide office Nov. 5, in the interest of protecting public education.
Gov. Gray Davis, who is seeking a second term in office, has been a friend of public education throughout his political career.
As governor, he has repeatedly increased school funding, supported class size reduction programs, and stood with teachers against risky voucher schemes.
During his term, education funding has increased more than 13 percent, and exceeded the minimum guarantee required by Prop. 98 in each of the past four years. In the 10 years before he took office, education funding exceeded the minimum guarantee only once.
This year, with a $24 billion shortfall in revenues, Gov. Davis worked with CTA to protect education funding and make sure that any budget cuts that had to be made happened as far from the classroom as possible.
Gov. Davis can also count among his credits the following:
- He signed into law the largest single-year im-provements ever in State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) benefits, providing $11.5 billion for retired teachers.
- He opposes school vouchers and, along with CTA, led the fight against Prop. 38.
- He's a strong supporter of Prop. 47, the state school bond.
"Gov. Gray Davis is the best choice for public education," says CTA President Wayne Johnson.
State Sen. Jack O'Connell, who carried state legislation to reduce class size, has CTA's support for the job of state superintendent of public instruction.
A former educator, O'Connell knows how to make government work for students, teachers and schools. In addition to his landmark legislation to reduce class size in grades K-3, O'Connell joined CTA in the fight to reduce the two-thirds vote requirement for local school bonds. He also sponsored legislation on beginning teacher salary incentives; Cal Grants, particularly for those pursuing teaching credentials; and other significant reforms. As chair of the Senate Budget Committee's subcommittee on education, O'Connell has played a key role in crafting the state's education spending plans.
O'Connell supports Prop. 47, the $13 billion school bond on the November ballot, and reducing class sizes even in financially difficult times. He is also an advocate for increasing parental participation in California's schools. "If we all do our part to keep parents involved, maintain smaller class sizes and recruit more teachers in the classroom, California's public schools will continue to improve and surpass all of our greatest expectations," he says.
"Sen. Jack O'Connell is a strong supporter of our state's schools," says CTA President Johnson. "He has worked with us time and again in promoting better salaries for teachers, reducing class size, and making it easier to pass school bonds. His election to superintendent of public education would mean we have a powerful advocate on behalf of public education."
In contrast, O'Connell's opponent, Anaheim School Board member Katherine Smith's primary goal appears to be promoting uniforms for students and parental report cards from schools.
"We think there is a clear choice in this election," says Johnson. "Sen. O'Connell knows where our schools need to go and knows what to do to get them there. He can work effectively with the Legislature and the governor's office to do the job."
O'Connell received a degree in history from California State University, Fullerton, and a secondary school teaching credential from CSU-Long Beach. He taught high school for several years in Oxnard and was a school board member before being elected to the state Assembly in 1982. After serving several terms in the Assembly, he was elected to the state Senate in 1994 and won re-election handily in 1998. His district includes San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County as well as western Ventura County.
His candidacy for state superintendent is supported by CTA and most of the major education organizations in the state, along with labor union and business groups.
Steve Westly has CTA's support for the office of state controller.
He has the experience necessary to oversee the State Teachers' Retirement System and keep California's economy moving in the right direction.
"His unique background in the private and public sectors will give California investments the focus they need," says CTA President Johnson.
CTA is also urging teachers to get out the vote for the following statewide candidates:
- Cruz Bustamante for lieutenant governor.
- Bill Lockyer for attorney general.
- Phil Angelides for treasurer.
- Kevin Shelley for secretary of state.
- John Garamendi for insurance commissioner.
