It has been fairly well publicized that moderate GOP donor Charles Munger, Jr’s sister, Molly, has decided to make 2012 the year she stakes a major claim in California’s initiative process that her brother has navigated so frequently the past several years. Molly has pledged millions of dollars to fund an initiative that will utilize a tax increase on Californians to provide additional funding to schools. According to the initiative’s website it will raise billions in new tax revenue for school and education programs. The new tax revenues will come from all Californians, but targets the “top 1%” to carry the bulk of the burden, trying to capitalize on the latest “Occupy” movement rhetoric.
Of course Californians have repeatedly rejected new taxes the past several ballot cycles, and thanks to California GOP legislators, Californians were not asked to extend the tax hikes of 2009. Ms. Munger may very well find herself in an unintended fight with Jerry Brown’s own tax plan. So the possibility of Munger’s agenda being an immediate success may be at risk.
However, whether Munger’s tax hike makes the ballot and is approved by voters is not the only voters need to pay attention to concerning this issue. See the “Our Children, Our Future” agenda has effectively received the support of the California State PTA. Not only is support coming from casual conversations by school parents at their local elementary school cafeteria after a PTA meeting, it is being promoted and pushed on the California PTA’s official website.
The state PTA leaders are also recruiting candidates for local school boards, who once elected will undoubtedly support higher taxes to “fund education” and further their interests. An example of this is in Orange County where the PTA leadership is backing Mary Galuska to unseat conservative Board of Education Member Ken Williams. I have never met Mary Galuska, and reading over her biography she seems like a very nice lady and reminds me of one of my friend’s mothers growing up. However, her list of supporters is alarming to me and it is chalk full of teacher union apologists. Voters in Orange County’s 3rd Board of Education district must pay attention to this and re-elect Dr. Ken Williams. As anyone can recognize California’s budget crisis will not be getting better any time soon. This obviously will make education dollars sparse and must be prioritized correctly. Its successful conservative education district members like Dr. Williams who recognize what our schools need and which cirriculum should be taught to get the most outcome from our valuable tax dollars.
Voters throughout the state need to pay attention to these races. Now is not the time for pet projects attempting to transform education by jeopardizing our fragile economy by raising taxes again.
May 1st, 2012 at 7:50 am
The California Tea Party has been disappointing concerning a consistent public relations voice against tax/spend plans of “moderates”, the usual suspects and the new rich….
Mr. Coupal, Flashreport and CalWatchDog have given voters the good, bad and the cod liver oil….but…where are the grass root organizers…are they comfy on their porches drinking grocery store wine and eating Costco cheese with their pinkee up!
If Proposition 13 goes down property taxes will rise by adjusting the % rate and/or property value. Your property value will drop dramatically…most will not have the funds to pay the increased taxes, tax appeals and acrimony will rise…big time…….rents will go through the roof quashing purchasing power for everyday essentials.
It appears Mr. Brown has laid the ground work for revolutionary changes in funding government at all levels…his henchmen are recruiting seemingly palatable socialist leaning local leaders…one day soon…he pulls the switch….your life changes forever!!!