[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Marty D. Omoto
Director/Organizer
California Disability Community Action Network

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will release proposed revisions and changes to his proposed State budget for 2008-2009, today (May 14) at 1:00 PM in a televised press conference that advocates fear will mean new proposals for deeper cuts to health and human services that impact low income Californians, including people with disabilities, mental health needs, seniors and low income workers who provide supports and services.

The Governor will propose placing before voters - possibly in November - a ballot initiative that would allow the State to borrow over $15 billion over 3 years against the profits of the State Lottery. The Governor would also propose that the Legislature approve an automatic increase temporarily of the State's sale tax by 1 cent for up to three years, generating up to $6 billion per year, if the ballot initiative fails (including if the borrowing is stopped by a lawsuit).

Legislative Republicans, while not opposing the idea of borrowing against State lottery profits, have pledged to oppose the Governor's proposals that call for any increases in State taxes.

Budget Gap Estimated at Over $17 Billion

by Paul Rosenberg [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) statewide survey released today showed that the majority of Californians rank education as a top priority, and that they want to protect schools from budget cuts. The poll also shows that parents believe schools are not currently receiving enough funding -- further demonstrating that the Governor’s proposed $4.8 billion in cuts to schools and students is out of sync with the values and priorities of most Californians.

Below are excerpts from some of the PPIC findings.

Education is a top priority for most Californians:

"Education continues to rate high on Californians’ list of the major issues facing the state."

Californians don’t want to cut schools:

"Californians agree that K-12 education is the major spending area they most want to protect from state budget cuts and are concerned that the state’s budget gap will cause significant spending cuts."

Californians believe more money would help public schools:

"A majority of residents agree that additional state funding would lead to higher quality K-12 education (63%)."

There's more...

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

Split on raising taxes—but support for raising taxes on wealthiest Californians
Economy is “top worry”
Schwarzenegger 41% job rating and Legislature at 26%

By Frank D. Russo

The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released a massive 36 page survey taken of over 2500 Californians that focuses on education but provides a wealth of data on how residents and likely voters are thinking about a number of other issues. The survey is the 4th annual one conducted by the PPIC, a non-partisan, non-profit organization.

The poll shows strong support for education. When asked to identify the one area they want protected from spending cuts, K-12 education is by far and away the largest one identified—by 60% of Californians and 61% of likely voters. It outdistances health and human services at 15%, higher education 11%, and prisons and corrections 8%.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Julia Rosen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]