Sacramento Teacher Lay Offs Decline
Excellent news. Teachers lay offs have declined. Only 2,900 teachers received these notices this week in time for the mandatory lay off notices. Less than 350 teachers received these notices in Sacramento county. How did this happen? WE – the voters- passed Proposition 30 and to a lesser extend Prop. 39 in the 2012 elections. If you didn’t vote- you did not contribute. Voting makes a difference.
Working together we passed Prop. 30, to fund schools, universities and social services. This is a floor under austerity. It raises taxes on the rich to pay for services. It does raise sales tax by ¼ of percent – but 90% of the tax increases are on the rich . A tax of 1-3 % on those who make over $250,000 per year.
Bad news The number of police officers is shrinking reducing public safety. This is happening as a result of government austerity programs.
California, like many states, must produce a “balanced” budget. State governments use public tax money for police, fire fighters, teachers, park services, nurses, doctors, social workers and health assistants.
During the economic crisis fewer items were purchased such as clothes, cars, and homes. At the same time
