Maya Bendotoff
In November 2012, many of us worked tenaciously to pass Proposition 30, primarily a tax on millionaires, to fund education. Funding from Prop 30 allowed us to stem the massive cuts we experienced as part of the great recession and rebuild educational programs throughout the state. The measure continues to provide a significant portion of funding for K-12 and community college education in California, including for Cabrillo. The current measure expires in 2018.
CFT, in collaboration with CTA , and various health care organizations, has been working to secure a measure to extend Prop 30 to allow us fund education at or above the current levels.
The current version of the initiative, officially called the “Tax Extension to Fund Education and Healthcare Initiative,” would extend by twelve years the current income tax for individuals earning over $250,000 or join filers earning over $500,000. It does not include any measure to temporarily increase the sales tax.
The measure would first provide funding to K-12 schools (89%) and community colleges (11%). Funding above a certain level would be allocated to the rainy day fund and health care programs for low-income children and their families (note that the insertion of the rainy day fund was made to meet a demand from Governor Brown.)
CCFT is currently collecting signatures to help get the measure on the November 8, 2016 ballot. If you would like to participate in these efforts, email Susan Stuart (sustuart@cabrillo.edu), Maya Bendotoff (ccft@ccftcabrillo.org), or call 464-2238.