by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

by Paul Rosenberg [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

April 18 and 21 will see statewide demonstrations--4,000 Rally in Orange County over education cuts

By Robert Cruickshank

What began in Alameda last month is now beginning to spread around the state. As their future is taken from them by the Yacht Party determined to protect wealth and aristocracy through crippling education cuts, California students are beginning to fight back. In rallies that are unfolding across the state, they are speaking out for opportunity, for education, for democracy.

And on April 18 and April 21, they are poised to make the loudest statement yet against the destruction of education in California.

by Robert in Monterey [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

At the heart of any discussion of the state’s budget deficit lies funding for public education. In the late 1980’s, California’s voters determined that at least 40% of the state’s general fund revenues should be used to back up local property taxes – limited by 1978’s Proposition 13.

That means any cuts in state spending that exclude k-12 funding will fall upon the remaining 60% of the general fund. That means huge cuts in higher education, corrections, and health/welfare spending. To avoid these cuts, which could mean the early release of felons from state prisons, the GOP looks to cut public education – then to claim that the cuts won’t matter.

GOP leader Mike Villines is specific: “We can get more money in the classrooms without raising the deficit” (or raising taxes).

Villines would do this by shifting money from urban school districts to rural and suburban seats. Or, should we call them “Republican” school districts.

While the courts restrained the legislature’s natural desire to provide more money to districts represented by the majority, the use of mandates and categorical aid has at least let the urban school districts grab the lion’s share of funding to deal with their lion’s share of the problem.

by David Dayen [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]