Prop 92: The Right Choice for California

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Dennis Smith

I've taught community college for more than twenty years. In that time I've had students who take just one class, others who go on to get PhDs, and students who have exercised just about every option in between. I've had homeless students, mentally ill students, students who couldn't write, and students who could wield a pen like John Steinbeck.

Community colleges are a central economic engine of the state, returning three dollars for every one invested, in the form of greater income for graduates and more tax dollars for California. I love teaching and I put up with the frustrations of antiquated physical plant and other unhappy results of under-funding because I know what community colleges mean for my students, my community, and our society.

On the ballot on February 5 is Proposition 92, placed there by the California Federation of Teachers and a large coalition of supporters. Prop. 92 would lower student fees from $20 to $15 per unit, and change the state funding formula in Prop 98 so that community colleges receive more money from the state's general fund. The non-partisan Legislative Analyst agrees with Prop. 92 supporters that the measure would bring an extra $300 million per year to the colleges, without negatively affecting K-12 funding.

There are some political insiders who like to talk about the opposition from the California Teachers Association – I would rather talk about my students who are looking for two years of college they can afford, career changes, job re-training, basic skills, or a just second chance in life.

Community college students graduate to become firefighters, nurses, police officers and paramedics. Countless students transfer to four-year universities to become engineers, scientists, teachers and business leaders. Our community colleges are an economic engine that contributes significantly to our state economy and quality of life in California.

But California needs Proposition 92 to ensure the colleges have the resources they need to continue to fulfill this role.