Key Proposition races: NO on 4, 6, 8, and 9
Although no proposition on the ballot this time around directly addresses community colleges or public education, the outcome of several measures will exercise a great influence over our ability to deliver a quality education to the students of the state. In particular, Propositions 4, 6, 8 and 9 would hurt our students in various ways.
Proposition 4
Prop 4 threatens teen safety by mandating parental notification prior to a minor terminating a pregnancy. Parents rightfully want to be involved in their teenagers' lives and we want our daughters to come to us if they become pregnant, and most do. But in the real world, laws like this don’t work. Prop 4 can't force teens to talk to their parents, but it may force them to do something desperate and dangerous. www.noonprop4.org
Proposition 6
Prop 6 proposes spending one billion dollars each year on unproven programs with no accountability, with no revenues to pay for it. Proposition 6 doesn’t put one more cop on the street. It could take money away from schools and health care and spend it instead on probation departments and prisons. Prop 6 would change existing law so more children as young as 14 years old will be tried as adults and relegated to the criminal justice system. www.votenoprop6.com/
Proposition 8
Prop 8 seeks to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Prop 8 isn't about schools, religion, children, doctors or courts. Prop 8 is about eliminating a fundamental right to marry for gays and lesbian couples, some of whom have been together for years. They are our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers and our family members. State law should not single out anyone to be treated differently under the law. We should not vote to eliminate their fundamental rights. www.noonprop8.com/
Proposition 9
Prop 9 will not substantially change the rights of victims, but it will weaken protections given to any of us who are charged with or convicted of a crime, like due process and fair hearings. Prop 9 denies people the right to prove their eligibility for parole (the standard 1-5 years will become every 15 years). Prop 9 will spend more tax dollars on failing, overcrowded prisons, make conditions more inhumane and take money from an already strapped state budget. www.noprop9.com
Vote as if public education depends on it—because it does!
