Proposition 2
By Editorial Board
Nov. 3, 2014 3:22 p.m.
Despite several concerns, the Daily Bruin Editorial Board supports Proposition 2.
The proposition would create a rainy day fund with better controls than the state’s previous attempt at establishing economic stability through an emergency fund.
California’s economy is especially prone to unexpected ups and downs, and as such the state needs to take precautions to ease the impact of substantial economic downturns.
Although the governing principles behind Proposition 2 are sound, the ballot measure’s regulation of school districts is not perfect.
The language that would restrict school districts from exceeding a cap in reserve funds should be repealed, since local officials are more well-equipped to dole out funding or save it for harder times than state lawmakers who work from Sacramento. The power to make financial decisions should remain in the hands of those with the most intimate knowledge of individual districts’ needs.
Furthermore, although this board supports the creation of a new rainy day fund to help ensure economic stability, we urge Gov. Jerry Brown to focus on increasing funds for higher education should the ballot measure succeed.
With the new safety net in place, Brown must make strides toward restoring levels of state support to the University of California. Because the state has been operating under a surplus, Brown should shift money toward higher education at the same time the state saves for the future.
As state funding stands, the UC is likely facing tuition increases in the very near future. State support for the UC system saw dramatic decreases in the past 20 years, to the point that student tuition now pays for more of the UC budget than state allocated dollars. Although Brown has consistently urged the UC to maintain tuition and avoid rises in costs for students, without growing state support, the University will be forced to raise tuition levels. If California cannot support its university systems, the economy will suffer – with or without the fund.
This board supports Proposition 2, but hopes the investment in economic stability extends to higher education. With more money in its reserve coffers, we hope that Brown and the state will offer increases to public education without worrying for California’s future economic status.
