Sacramento Bee: Democrats want California schools to get billions that voters rejected

[marmar]

Democrats want California schools to get billions that voters rejected

By Jim Sanders
[e-mail]

Published: Sunday, Jun. 21, 2009 - 12:00 am | Page 20A


California voters said no, but Democratic lawmakers are pushing to do it anyhow.

The issue involves billions of dollars and a ballot measure so important to schools that the California Teachers Association spent more than $7 million in a failed attempt to pass Proposition 1B.

One month after the initiative died, Democrats are proposing to pay schools the same $7.9 billion that was the heart of the measure and to begin payments the same year, 2011-2012.

The funding commitment is part of a massive budget-balancing plan crafted by a joint legislative conference committee and scheduled to be voted upon this week by the Senate and Assembly.

Sen. Mimi Walters, R-Laguna Niguel, said the proposal to commit $7.9 billion to schools directly contradicts the people's will.

"The voters have spoken and we need to listen," Walters said. "Unfortunately, the majority party in Sacramento isn't listening."

Democrats counter that a lawsuit already has been filed by the California Federation of Teachers over the disputed $7.9 billion and, if the state loses, it could be forced to begin payments much sooner than the proposed 2011-2012.

"The state is still at risk for owing the entire (amount) immediately," said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento. "So what the conference committee action allows is for an easy payment plan." .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1963911.html

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Its clear that Prop 98 needs to go, or at least sunset