The Ruse of Propositions 30 and 38

Governor Brown’s Prop. 30 and attorney Molly Munger’s Prop. 38 operate on the same tired and defective principle: No matter how bad the economy is or how wasteful the California legislature has been with taxpayer dollars, the answer must be to tax Californians more.

The Ventura County Office of Education bemoans the fact that the $140 million in federal stimulus handed to California schools between 2008 and 2011 has been spent, and that additional funds cannot be expected. Meanwhile, the California legislature has made no serious efforts to rehabilitate its heroine-like addiction to spending on everything from bloated public-employee pensions and union benefits (unparalleled in the private sector) to unnecessary and costly projects the likes of high-speed-rail and the California Dream Act.

Instead, campaigners for Props. 30 and 38 use as propaganda the sweet images of young students, sitting crisscross-applesauce on schoolroom floors, eagerly waiting to learn—which supposedly requires a bottomless coffer of cash (despite statistical evidence that throwing more money at California’s public education system has done nothing to improve student performance—but that’s an argument for another day).

We all love children and want to see them succeed. Indeed, they are our future. But shaking down the taxpayer as Props. 30 and 38 will do is not the answer. Instead, let’s see California rehabilitate its spending addiction, saving money to pay off its debts and refill its coffers: by reforming the public employee retirement system; standing up to unreasonable demands from the state’s largest special interest, the California Teachers Association; scrapping the bullet train nonsense; and making it easier and less expensive for companies to do business and create jobs in this state.

This is the path to rebuilding a California that can support education, public safety, and roads (more useful than train tracks), and permit a thriving economy once again. These measures will ensure our children’s success—both in school and when they venture into that renewed, prosperous marketplace, ready to be greeted by plentiful employment opportunities.

Let’s start by sending the right message to our State Capitol. Encourage your friends and family to Vote NO on Propositions 30 and 38.