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G.O.P. Assembly Leader Proposes To Save California Public Education Cuts Without New Taxes--By Shifting School Money From Democratic To Republican School Districts

towashington 089.gif By Bill Cavala
A veteran of over 30 years in Sacramento

At the heart of any discussion of the state’s budget deficit lies funding for public education. In the late 1980’s, California’s voters determined that at least 40% of the state’s general fund revenues should be used to back up local property taxes – limited by 1978’s Proposition 13.

That means any cuts in state spending that exclude k-12 funding will fall upon the remaining 60% of the general fund. That means huge cuts in higher education, corrections, and health/welfare spending. To avoid these cuts, which could mean the early release of felons from state prisons, the GOP looks to cut public education – then to claim that the cuts won’t matter.

GOP leader Mike Villines is specific: “We can get more money in the classrooms without raising the deficit” (or raising taxes).

Villines would do this by shifting money from urban school districts to rural and suburban seats. Or, should we call them “Republican” school districts.

While the courts restrained the legislature’s natural desire to provide more money to districts represented by the majority, the use of mandates and categorical aid has at least let the urban school districts grab the lion’s share of funding to deal with their lion’s share of the problem.

Teaching children for whom English is a second language is difficult. Teaching children from homes broken up by poverty is difficult. Teaching children who come from neighborhoods where underworld activity provides greater economic benefits than education is difficult. Teaching children in schools where violence is commonplace makes retention of good teachers difficult. Teaching children who lack the benefits of pre-schooling and of a home situation that encourages education is difficult.

While all teaching is difficult, teaching in a typical urban school district is more difficult. Money may not solve these problems, but it helps. Reducing this money to solve budget deficits doesn’t help. Diverting money from urban districts to rural and suburban districts isn’t “fair”, it’s REPUBLICAN.

Villines knows this. But if he could, he’d solve the state’s budget problem by diverting money into the school districts represented by his 32 Members. It allows them to avoid new taxes while arguing that the taxes aren’t needed if we simply shift money from urban (Democratic) districts to the GOP. They use terms like “flexibility”, “local control” and “funding fairness” for this exercise in theft.

Part B to their plan is to provide encouragement to parents (that can afford it) to pull their kids out of public schools. They use expressions like “greater transparency” and “high standards” for this approach. But the purpose is to find a rationale that justifies cutting funds to schools.

Bill Cavala was Deputy Director of the Assembly Speaker’s Office of Member Services where he worked for over 30 years.

He attended undergraduate and graduate school in the 1960’s and received a doctorate in political science at UC Berkeley. He taught political science at UC Berkeley during the 1970's while he worked part-time for the State Assembly.

Cavala left teaching at UC Berkeley and went to work for Assembly Speaker Willie Brown in 1981 until his tenure as Speaker ended in 1995, and he has worked for his five successors as Speaker up to and including Speaker Fabian Nunez.

Mr. Cavala manages election campaigns for Democratic candidates.

Posted on April 03, 2008

Comments

Comrade Cavala,

Your use of the esteemed Nazi Dr. Joseph Goebbels Propaganda, here the "Big Lie" is masterful.

Your article:

"GOP leader Mike Villines is specific: “We can get more money in the classrooms without raising the deficit” (or raising taxes).

Villines would do this by shifting money from urban school districts to rural and suburban seats. Or, should we call them “Republican” school districts."

Villines didn't say he would shift money as said here...YOU DID COMRADE.

"Villines knows this. But if he could, he’d solve the state’s budget problem by diverting money into the school districts represented by his 32 Members."

How do YOU know what Villines "knows". Your "If he could..." is sensationalist speculation aka "The Big Lie" again.

Your, "While the courts restrained the legislature’s natural desire to provide more money to districts represented by the majority, the use of mandates and categorical aid has at least let the urban school districts grab the lion’s share of funding to deal with their lion’s share of the problem."

BS pal: The Legislature is set up to represent WHERE the population is. It is by majority in the cities (duh). Therefore, they get a larger proportional share of education funding. Show us where this isn't true as you DID NOT HERE.

You continue: "Teaching children for whom English is a second language is difficult. Teaching children from homes broken up by poverty is difficult. Teaching children who come from neighborhoods where underworld activity provides greater economic benefits than education is difficult. Teaching children in schools where violence is commonplace makes retention of good teachers difficult. Teaching children who lack the benefits of pre-schooling and of a home situation that encourages education is difficult.

Don't you think there are these problems in less urban areas too? The Central Valley for starters? Who do you think picks the crops out there? Do you want to deny a quality education to "immigrants"? Where is YOUR compassion for the less well off?

Only YOU COMRADE have said anything about diverting money. You didn't quote anyone, including Villines, as nobody said it but YOU.

You say: "Part B to their plan is to provide encouragement to parents (that can afford it) to pull their kids out of public schools. They use expressions like “greater transparency” and “high standards” for this approach. But the purpose is to find a rationale that justifies cutting funds to schools.

What Plan? The one in YOUR mind...

Use expresions of double-speak? I have one for you; how about "Progressive" which replaced Socialist or Communist, which is where the "Big Lie" approach to communication was perfected.

I can't decide if the disgust of your techniques is outweighed by the humor it also creates!

Have a nice day Comrade!

Posted by: Jay Gould at April 3, 2008 02:27 PM

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