On Halloween, I will join many other educators in handing out 100 Grand candy bars from their homes to the parents of trick-or-treaters. The bars come with a card urging the public to vote yes on Proposition 24, the Tax Fairness Act supported by teachers in Silicon Valley and across the state to protect schools from more devastating cuts.

The candy bar giveaway is a reminder of the ghoulish giveaway the Legislature handed out to rich companies last year, new tax breaks that will total $1.3 billion a year when they kick in. This is the same Legislature that just approved a new state budget denying schools billions more in funding, for a staggering total of $21 billion in cuts over three years.

The fight by educators for Proposition 24 is a "teachable moment" for all who care about putting the financial rescue of our neighborhood schools ahead of tax breaks for wealthy corporations that refuse to pay their fair share in tough times.

Our schools would lose about $600 million a year if these tax breaks are allowed, which is why the California Teachers Association sponsored Proposition 24. Learn more at www.YesProp24.org.

Our schools can't take more cuts. My own East Side