Protesters Urge Yes on Prop 30 and No on Prop 32
The League of Women Voters of California, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Courage Campaign and many other coalitions met at the Civic Center Tuesday to rally the board of Supervisors to support Proposition 30 and oppose Proposition 32.
David Holtzman, the President of League of Woman Voters Los Angeles, said, "The League of Woman Voters supports Proposition 30, opposes Proposition 32, and we’re here to get the word out. And we’re in partnerships with a bunch of other community organizations including the SEIU who share the same position. And it’s a pleasure to be here to help them with this campaign."
Proposition 30 is a tax proposal backed by Governor Jerry Brown. If approved, the proposition would temporarily raise the sales tax by a quarter cent for the next four years. The proposal would also increase the personal income tax on individuals earning over $250,000 per year for the next seven years.
The rates for those receiving a raise in income taxes could go up by up to three percent, but individuals making less than $250,000 and couples making less than $500,000 would not be affected.
The revenue received would go toward balancing the state budget and funding schools indirectly. Money from the new taxes will go into the Education Protection Account, a special account that will be divided up into two with 89 percent going to K-12 schools and the other 11 percent benefiting community colleges.
Prop 30 also includes a few constitutional amendments that would make sure California keeps paying for certain public safety programs such as supervision of parolees, the incarceration of some adult prisoners and substance abuse treatment.
Prop 30 conflicts with Prop 38, a proposal that is similar to the former but would raise taxes on most Californians as opposed to only those making more than $250,000 a year. Since the two proposals conflict, the one with the most votes will be taken into effect.
Proposition 32, also known as the Stop Special interest Money Now Act, will reform California's finance rules. First, employee payrolls will not receive deductions for "political purposes." Some of these "purposes" include independent expenditures, camapign contributions and other types of spending that would influence voters.
Prop 32 would also prevent corporations and unions from directly contributing to state and local candidates or even the committees that support them. Finally, the measure would prohibit government contractors from contributing to elected officials who have a say in awarding these contractors a contract.
The choices made Nov 6 will determine the state's course for years. Both Prop 32, 30 levy significant taxes on Californians.
The wounds that Prop 30, 32 are to heal have been self inflicted largely by elected officials in Sacramento who simply do not say no to any influential interest group (lobbyists) be they public employees, business, teachers or other unions or environmental groups.
And now the Sacramento politicians and their lobbyists are using Prop 32, 30, 38 to blackmail us.
Vote! Vote No on Prop 32, 30, 38. Save California for our children.