The Protection of Local Schools Revenue Act

On behalf of California's K-14 students, Educate Our State has submitted a ballot initiative, tentatively titled "The Protection of Local Schools Revenues" to California's Attorney General, which will give equal protection to property taxes in each county allocated to public education.   In 2004 Prop 1A, The Protection of Local Government Revenues, which was passed by 83.7% of the voters, protected ALL local property tax revenues except those allocated to public education.   Since 2004, the State has been taking public education's share of the property taxes collected in every county and spending it on the state's non-education-related debts.  Last year this amounted to $7 Billion per year being taken in property taxes that were allocated to our schools.   Though the net effect is revenue neutral, it is literally siphoning off more and more stable revenue (local property taxes) that was destined for the schools of California's poorest children.   In Contra Costa County it is reported that 49% of our property taxes go to fund public education.  The actual amount is 37%.  

Taxpayers deserve to know where their local property taxes are going.  Children deserve equal protection under the law.  Our state constitution says the education of children should be our first priority.  Let's begin by providing equal protection to public education.

We have until April 15th to gather signatures and qualify this for the November ballot.  Will you give us a few hours of your time?  You can sign on at www.YesForEducation.org or email us at initiative@educateourstate.org.