December 5, 2011—A broad coalition of educators, unions and community groups today filed a ballot initiative to restore critical funding to schools and universities, essential services for seniors, and public safety, as well as start rebuilding the state’s crumbling roads and bridges. It asks the wealthiest Californians—people who earn over a million dollars per year—to help pay to rebuild the state. The “California Funding Restoration Act” would increase personal income taxes only on those who make $1 million or more annually to restore funding to services that make California communities stronger and safer, and ensure seniors receive the care they deserve.

All the hard work paid off for CFT members and their allies across the state who rallied, walked precincts, talked to voters over the phone, and ultimately convinced voters to overturn the state's archaic 2/3 majority requirement for passing a state budget.  Every event like the one shown above, which took place in Watsonville on October 27, contributed to the victory of Proposition 25.  Francisco Rodriguez photo

November 3, 2010—CFT members are heartened as their endorsed candidates for statewide office all came in winners on November 2 (see results on Secretary of State's web site), and Proposition 25 made it across the finish line with a substantial and game-changing victory for democracy in the state budget process.