Proposal

Title: Proposition 30 Budget cost

Author: I am a 19 year old college student, this is my second year at Cabrillo. Even in my first year i had trouble getting the classes i wanted, and this semester i had to pick from a small selection of classes that still had openings on the wait-list. The cut backs have effected me personally, and will continue to get worse with time if something is not done. i fear for the future years and future students of Proposition 30 isn't passed. 

Date: In this economic time of disaster prop. 30 gives the state a chance to help relieve the budget cuts and to restore some of the education, public safety, and community services. Proposition 30 sets the stage for the restoration of California's budget crisis. 

Topic: Op-Ed article on Proposition 30. 

Exigence: Education is facing devastating cuts if proposition 30 isn't passed, more cuts to California's already poorly funded system means less classes, smaller class sizes, less availability and not to mention higher class prices for students. For students who have to pay for there own schooling means more hours at work and less time for school. 

Intended Audience: Undecided voters, and fellow college students. 

Purpose: To inform my readers of proposition 30 and its potential benefits for California

Ethos: I am a student who has to pay for my classes, that means i have to work for the cash to pay the increasing prices of classes and books. With the budget cuts there are fewer classes and fewer chances to get in to the class with limited spots, not to mention the increase of students trying to get into one class. I have had to stand in the back of the room listening to lectures, leave a class room and in some cases I have seen students stand outside the door all because class rooms are limited by the increasing cuts. 

Pathos: Every parent wants the best for their child, and everyone wants to live the "American Dream". When i was just a small boy i dreamed of having a family and being able to provide whatever they needed the classic white picket fence, To me that is living the american dream. This is achieved by hard work and a strong educational background but with the current education crisis i fear for the future of the american dream. Everyone needs a opportunity for a strong education, and without Prop. 30 the drastic budget cuts threaten the american dream. But with Prop. 30 there is a chance for America's education.

Logos: Proposition can raise $6-9 Billion in new revenue each year by raising sales tax by a quarter-cent for four years, and increase personal income taxes for seven years for those who make more than $250,000 in annual earnings a year. With the possible passing of Proposition 30 in November it could bring tax payer's money to K-12 schools, prevent a $ 250 million budget cut to CSU's avoid class cuts, layoffs and prevent enrollment cuts. With Prop. 30's passing it frees up $56 billion in funding that can go to education, health care, and other public services. There are some people who say proposition 30 is bad for the state, they say it will destroy small business and jobs with the threat that the new revenue will not go to the schools. 

Annotated Bibliographie

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/16/local/la-me-brown-taxes-20120816

York, Anthony. "Gov. Jerry Brown Formally Kicks off Prop. 30 Tax Hike Campaign." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. <http://articles.latimes.com/2012/aug/16/local/la-me-brown-taxes-20120816>.

In this article, Anthony York talks about Gov. Jerry Brown formally starting off his campaign for Proposition 30. The November ballot will temporary raise sales taxes and an income surcharge on California’s highest income earners. The proposition will add a quarter-cent to the statewide sales tax until 2016, then income tax rates of individuals earning more than $250,000 a year will increase. When asked about the financial negligence about the parks department, and the millions of dollars in accounting errors elsewhere Brown became impatient and simply said “…This is not about any other issues…. It's not about parks.” Focusing on only the schools might make voters reluctant to trust Sacramento with more of their tax dollars.

"It's about taking money from the most blessed and giving it to the schools," Gov. Brown

http://www.calfac.org/post/prop-30-facts

This article only talks about the positive facts of Prop. 30. The Schools & Safety Protection Act, is the only advantage that can protect school, safety funding and aid the state’s continuing budget mess.

“Our state budget problem was built up over a decade, and it won’t be fixed overnight. These temporary increases will ensure funding for our schools until the economy improves.” – Jerry Brown, AP, 06/28/12

“The future of education is bleak if the tax hike fails.”
Jack Scott, California Community Colleges Chancellor,
– Los Angeles Times, 07/18/12

 

http://www.wisegeek.com/in-california-what-is-prop-13.htm

Smith, S.E., and Bronwyn Harris. "In Califrnia, What Is Prop 13?" WiseGeek. Conjecture, 11 June 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. <http://www.wisegeek.com/in-california-what-is-prop-13.htm>.

 In this article, S.E. Smith explains how proposition 13 does not allow property taxes to rise no more than one percent of a home's assessed value, property values could not rise by more than two percent per year, the only way for a property to be assessed at a new value is when the property is sold. Smith then explains how a required two thirds majority is the only way to increase any taxes in California, making it difficult to pass laws to raise the tax rate. An immediate affect from Prop. 13 was a dramatic decrease in property tax income, as in result a struggle for state income for schools and other organizations.  

R.R. (Against school)

            We all have to go through school but not all of us spend the same amount of years in it. John Taylor Gatto writes about school teachers and students being bored, the work being stupid and the information common sense.  In Gatto's essay "Against School" he argues against the strict regulations of education and the forced routine of classes day after day for twelve plus years. Gatto talks about how success is an image created dependently on schooling, how schools create the future according to consumer markets with the students to be employees and consumers not leaders and adventures. but i want to know what ever happened too not needing a fourteen year education, there was a time when all you needed for a future was motivation.
             
           On a regular basis our education is defined to make good people, good citizens, and to make each person his or her best, but written in The American Mercury of April 1924 " the aim is to simply reduce as many individuals as possible to the same safe level...and train a standardized citizenry"(H.L. Mencken). An educational system designed to produce limited intellects all for the populace to be "manageable". A Prussian culture of education adopted by America all because industrialized, compulsory schooling can divide children to eventually separate the mass of mankind so there could never be a dangerous whole with the threat of "revolution". A separated mass of consumers and followers is easier to control than it is a mankind of adventures and leaders. Gatto sheds light on how schools shape students into what today's lifestyle needs consumers, and a manageable society.
             
             Whatever happened to the rebels who dropped out of school? did they vanish off the face of the planet? or are they living on the streets?

             I am sure that some of the people who never completed school did vanish but what makes a difference is motivation and dedication. My father never graduated high school or even started college, he dropped out and started working for a cross country trucking company. Eventually he got into construction and slowly worked his way up the chain of command, he is now an area manager in charge of multiple job sites, he did this with out ever having a complete education. There was a time when a complete education wasn't needed all it took was dedication and the ability to work hard for a better future. Those days have changed into the more degrees you have the better chance of a well paying job, however there is no fine line saying "you will have this job after X amount of years" you are never promised the job you have spent years in school for. And after all the years of school how will you change professions if you want or need to? go back to school for another couple of years? but you are still not promised that job.

Reader Response #1 (Op-Ed article)

This article “Prop 30 Cheat Sheet: Jerry Brown's Tax Measure” introduces proposition 30, a constitutional amendment known as the Schools & Local Public Safety Protection Act.  This Act would raise the personal income tax on individuals for the next seven years also raise the state sales tax by a quarter cent for the next four years. The new revenues would be used to help stabilize the state budget and to fund schools, predicted with an additional $6.6 billion for education. But if voters reject the Act, a series of reductions "trigger cuts" would go into effect, schools and community colleges would take a hit of nearly $5.4 billion along with many other departments.

Individuals making more than $250,000 per year for the next seven years would see a raise in personal income tax rates by as much as 3 percent; however individuals making less than $250,000 and couples making less than $500,000 a year will see no increase. State sales tax would be raised by as much as much as a quarter cent for the next four years, but both tax increases are only temporary with the passing of Proposition 30. An increase in new revenues would automatically result in education funding with the money from the new taxes being placed in a special account and divided up between K-12 and a percent going to community colleges. If Prop 30 is rejected by voters new spending reductions “trigger cuts” will go into effect with schools and community colleges by causing budget cuts of up to $5.4 billion. Prop 30 just doesn’t affect schools but certain public safety programs like the incarceration of some adult prisoners, supervision of parolees, and substance abuse treatment.

If it passes, the state would see an increase of billions of dollars to help cover education and balance the budget but if not passed, it would face a serious shortage and begin making a series of trigger cuts to government programs to reduce overall spending. Prop 30 would ensure that payments for education and government would continue annually. However Legislatures can take existing money from schools and use it for other purposes, replacing it with money from Prop 30, resulting in no new money for education.  So prop 30 is basically an act that keeps the schools funds at one level, not necessarily giving more money to the schools.

Week One

1. I believe that "Para Teresa" was written in English and Spanish because it helps the reader picture the narrator better and where she comes from in her heritage. The use of two languages gives us a look at both sides of the conflict, in a way it separates the two sides. One side is to fallow her "sister" and to cause trouble or to do what her family wants and to do her best in school.

2. The fight in Para Teresa is a reflection that could of been triggered by a school year book, photo, or the possibility of the narrator recently seeing Teresa. With the challenges the narrator had to face in school the choices she had to make; choosing between her friend, the social norm and what she felt was right was her way of defiance. Teresa's defiance was different from the narrators but she understood how Teresa felt and how they both had their own ways of defiance making them sisters in the end. 

6. Prop 30, is an initiative constitutional amendment also known as the Schools & Local Public Safety Protection Act. Proposition 30 would effect individuals making more than $250,000 per year for the next seven years by raising personal income tax by as much as 3 percent. But individuals making less than $250,000 and couples making less than $500,00 a year would see no change. Proposition 30 would raise state sales tax by a quarter cent for the next four years and the revenue will be used to balance the state budget and funding school. An increase in revenues automatically results in more education funding, money from the new taxes will be placed in a special account called the Education Protection Account. That money would be divvied up, with a percent going to K-12 schools and community colleges. If the Proposition does not get approved a series of reductions known as the "trigger cuts" will go into effect and schools including community colleges would see reductions of nearly $5.4 billion. The two tax measures Prop 30 and Prop 38 could affect each other. The state constitution already provides that when two measures conflict, the one with the most votes passes. If Prop 38 gets more votes, that would mean Prop 30 loses and the "trigger cuts" would go into effect.

Proposition 30

Prop: 30
www.kcet.org/news/ballotbrief/elections2012/propositions/prop-30-cheat-sheet-jerry-browns-tax-to.html

     

I am.

                  I am the child that grew up in mud, burnt ants with a magnifying glass and spent my nights

adventuring in the dark. I have lived on a horse ranch my whole life; I used to think it was horrible, 

having to do chores every day but growing up the way I did it taught me life lessons. When I was 

younger I thought the kids living in the city were lucky and that they had it better, but after 19 years I 

realized I was the lucky kid. I love the outdoors to much to have grown up in the city. I came from a 

strong loving family with friends who have been through hell with me. I have a few near death stories 

of my own,a love story, and a few stories of loss. I have traveled to Germany, Prague, France, Poland 

and some other small countries, but I prefer the beaches and warm summer nights here. I love to draw 

and sketch,I have painted a few murals, but what I truly wish I could get into is tattooing. I love the 

stories, reasons and culture behind tattoos, my first tattoo I got is on my ribs and I was 15 at the time, 

both my parents allowed me to get it. I wanted my ears pierced when I was in high school but when I 

asked my father he said he would rather let me get a tattoo, so i took him up on the offer.

                    Originally I thought wanted to be a professional chief because I like to cook and to cook 

for others but I realized I only learned to cook because I didn’t want to end up like my sister, the 22 

year old who can’t cook chicken without leaving the plastic on the frozen bird. I have always thought 

of doing something in law enforcement or military. After talking to one of my father’s old friends who 

is a Game Warden, and going on a few ride-alongs, I have decided to be a Fish and Game warden, and 

a warden is not a park ranger. A Warden enforces wildlife laws, protects natural resources and controls

poaching with the same authority as a police officer. One of the main reasons I wanted to be a Warden

is because there is no office hours, just hours to complete outside on patrol.

                     As for what I bring to the class, it has to be open-mindedness; I will usually have more 

than one opinion on a topic. Every once in a while I will have a bad day, but mainly my opinions are 

positive. Writing is not always the strongest topic for me, it all depends on the prompt. But in the end I 

like a challenge that changes my opinion or my point of view.