Proposition 30 must pass to avoid brutal cuts

Since passing Proposition 13 in 1978 Californians have basically been demanding services but refusing to pay for them. The “Greatest Generation” told the next wave of Californians, “Sorry, kid, you are on your own.” California’s once-unmatched system of higher education has been in free fall for four years and the fault is ours. Proposition 30 is our chance to stop the bleeding.

Proposition 30 is a seven-year temporary tax to individuals earning more than $250,000 and a quarter-percent sales tax projected to generate $6 billion in revenue for public education.

California community colleges have already been cut by $809 million since 2008.

This year alone Southwestern College has cut 550 class sections, reduced employees salaries, reduced student services and counseling, and forced 6,561 students onto the waiting list for classes.

If Proposition 30 does not pass, the college will need to immediately cut an additional $4.8 million. Administrators said that would mean a 7 percent reduction of class sections, elimination of entire programs, further paring of student services and counseling, and a 7.3 percent reduction in enrollment.

Critics of Proposition 30 have wrongly described it as “blackmail” and have accused Jerry Brown of threatening public education cuts to pass this bill, as if he stands to gain some personal benefit from a well-funded education system.

To be fair, he does. We all do.

A strong public education system means more Californians have an opportunity to go to college which will strengthen the backbone of this country, its middle class.

An educated workforce means more well-paying careers and a future workforce that will pay more in taxes.

Proposition 30 is sensible, fair and moral. It asks wealthy Californians to help the system that helped them. It asks for all of us to chip in a little.

SWC students are getting beaten up badly this fall with overcrowded classrooms, waitlisted sections and deferred transfer. Counseling and tutoring services are hard to get. Access to award-winning programs is blocked.

Proposition 30 is asking for California tax payers to help our education system complete its mission of helping and preparing a brighter future. Vote yes for Proposition 30.