Legislation Update: Pleasanton PTA Council
February 3,
2004
MARCH
2ND! Voter
information available at www.easyvoter.org
The California State PTA has taken a SUPPORT position on this $12.3 billion bond measure for the March 2004 ballot designed to address K-12 and post-secondary classroom construction and modernization. This is the second half of the statewide bond package. California voters overwhelmingly supported the first half of the measure, Proposition 47 for $13.05 billion, in November 2002.
According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), districts need to construct new schools to house nearly 1 million pupils and repair and renovate schools for over 1 million more. More than $16 billion in approved projects are waiting funding. According to Sandra Lemmons of PUSD, Proposition 55 is critical if we are to proceed with necessary repair projects. There are no funds remaining, at the State level, for modernization. PUSD current priorities include modernizations to Donlon ($3 million) and Lydiksen ($4 million). She noted that there are some remaining funds available, at the State level, for new construction, which may fund the new classroom building at Foothill and the Neal construction. However, Proposition 55 funds would substantially increase the chance of PUSD receiving funding for these projects.
Proponents of the bond measure believe that it will help improve safety, relieve overcrowding and give students more access to technology and computers. Studies show that a safer, less crowded learning environment helps improve student achievement. For more information, go to http://www.yeson55.com/. Additional information on Proposition 55 is available from EdSource, an independent non-profit organization at http://www.edsource.org/
Opponents argue that California should build schools without increasing California’s debt using money from the State’s General Fund. Although bond measures do not represent a tax increase per se, they do require tax dollars to repay them. Additional information at http://www.protecttaxpayers.com/
ACTION TAKEN: At the February 2nd meeting of the Pleasanton PTA Council ratified the California State PTA’s position in SUPPORTING this measure.
The State PTA has also taken a SUPPORT position on this measure designed to hold legislators accountable to pass a budget on time. If the budget is not passed on time, the Governor and legislators will permanently forfeit their salary and expenses for each day until the budget is adopted. The June 15th budget deadline set out in the State Constitution has been missed for the past 17 years.
It also proposes to reduce the vote required to pass a budget from 67% to 55%. California is one of only three states that still require a 2/3 majority for budget adoption.
This measure also forces the legislature to make the budget its top priority. If the budget is not passed by the Constitutional deadline, the Legislature is required to remain in session and is prohibited from acting on any other legislation until the budget is adopted.
Encourages fiscal responsibility by requiring legislators to set aside a “rainy day fund” of at least 5% in good times to reduce the likelihood of extreme budget cuts and/or tax increases in difficult economic conditions.
For more information, see http://www.budgetaccountability.org/
Opponents argue that Proposition 56 makes it easier for the legislature to raise our taxes. For more information, see http://www.noblankchecks.com/
ACTION TAKEN: At the February 2nd meeting of the Pleasanton PTA Council ratified the California State PTA’s position in SUPPORTING this measure.
Would allow the state to sell $15 billion in bonds to help balance the state budget. It will take 9-14 years to pay off the bonds. Requires that Proposition 58 is also approved in order to go into effect.
The Proposition 57 bond keeps California from running out of cash without having to raise taxes or make deep cuts in education or health care. This is meant to be a one-time solution. For more information, see http://www.joinarnold.com/
Opponents argue that California should not get deeper into debt. For more information, see http://www.tommcclintock.com/
ACTION TAKEN: Pleasanton PTA Council voted, on Feb. 2, 2004 to support this bond measure.
The State is facing a deficit of at least $15 billion in the 2004-2005 budget next year. This measure would change the State Constitution so that a balanced budget must be passed each year. Also sets up a special reserve fund account that is set up to reach $8 billion (5% of the California General Fund). Would likely make State spending more stable from year to year and improve the State’s credit rating.
For more information on the benefits of Propositions 57 & 58, see http://www.joinarnold.com/.
Opponents argue that Proposition 58 has no spending limit. The state can still balance the budget with more borrowing.
ACTION TAKEN: Pleasanton PTA Council voted, on Feb. 2, 2004 to support this proposition.
On September 16, 2003, the Governor signed SB 677 (Ortiz), Chapter 415, Statutes of 2003 into law. The law sets nutrition standards for all beverages sold to students in elementary, middle and junior high schools effective July 1, 2004.
The new law bans to sale of unhealthy beverages all day at elementary schools. Healthy beverages are defined as water, milk, 100% fruit juices or fruit based drinks with no less than 50% fruit juice and no added sweeteners. Unhealthy beverages may be sold, for fundraising purposes, under two conditions: sold by pupils off school grounds or sold by pupils on school grounds at least 30 minutes after the end of the school day.
For middle and junior high schools, the law bans the sale of unhealthy beverages from one-half hour before school to one-half hour after the end of the school day. The list of healthy beverages is expanded to include electrolyte replacement beverages with no more than 42 grams of added sweetener per 20 oz. serving. Unhealthy beverages may be sold, for fundraising purposes, during and at the location of an event after the end of the school day or via vending machines, school stores and cafeterias at least one-half hour after the end of the school day.
Many of these issues are addressed in a recent policy on Competitive Food Sales adopted by PUSD School Board on November 18, 2003, (see Reg-3422 at http://www.pleasanton.k12.ca/). The PUSD policy goes further in addressing the sale of beverages at the high school level as well and prohibits carbonated beverages being sold until one-half hour after the end of the school day.
NO ACTION REQUIRED AT THIS TIME – PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
AB56 (Steinberg, Daucher, Liu & Chan) a two-year bill, currently in revision, focuses on the provision of a voluntary preschool opportunity for every 3 or 4-year old child in California on a gradual basis. The recommendation is for a phase in over a 10-year period with the highest priority being under performing schools (i.e. those with an API index of 1-3). The intent is to provide a seamless integration of early childhood education programs to K-12 education and provide for a smooth transition into kindergarten for all students. The legislation also addresses health and developmental screenings and assessments for children.
The California State PTA believes that all children age 3-6 should have the opportunity to experience learning appropriate to their development readiness. PTA members are encouraged to become informed about this subject and participate in local discussions that may be taking place on this topic.
ACTION: Watch progress.
AB 356 (Hancock) is up for consideration again this session, having almost made it through last year. This bill would eliminate the high stakes, standardized testing of second grade pupils. It would not prohibit diagnostic testing or testing of second grade pupils for placement purposes. The California State PTA strongly supported this bill.
ACTION: Watch progress.
A third bill coming up again this session is AB 1012 (Steinberg). This bill was co-sponsored by the PTA and the ACLU. This bill seeks to make it mandatory that parents be notified before law enforcement questions a child at school, at that parents or, if unavailable, a trusted adult be allowed to be present during the questioning. Most parents believe they already have these rights and are alarmed when they learn otherwise. The bill passed the legislature last year but was opposed by law enforcement, Association of California School Administrators, and the California School Boards Association. PTA will solicit letters of support from parents, particularly those who may have had personal experiences with this issue, as the bill progresses.
For more information, go to http://www.capta.org/ and click on Advocacy.