Students should approve Props. 47, 52

Students have the chance on Tuesday to pass two measures that
will change not only their futures, but also the future of the
entire state. It is imperative that all members of the campus
community use their voting might to pass Propositions 47 and 52
““ two of the most relevant measures on the ballot.

You’ve heard about the freezing classrooms during winter,
the leaky roofs and the obsolete science facilities. Perhaps you
went to a school plagued by these conditions or worse. While
political candidates vying for your vote on Tuesday might harp on
what a shame it is that California’s schools are in shambles, only
one choice on the ballot is actually guaranteed to give money to
improving education.

Proposition 47 would authorize the state to issue $13 billion in
bonds. This money would be applied to public schools from
kindergarten to the university level for the purpose of improving
facilities.

Clearly this measure is one of the most promising steps toward
upgrading California’s substandard education system. At the
most basic level, this bond aims to remodel dilapidated buildings.
Furthermore, this bond can also pave the way to addressing more
complex and controversial curriculum improvements or enhanced test
standards that have been under scrutiny.

It is premature for lawmakers to talk about raising the bar of
student performance when schools’ infrastructures are in dire
need of repair. For instance, how can schools meet class size
requirements if they don’t have enough classrooms? The
state’s first priority in education must be improving basic
facilities ““ the implementation of Proposition 47 would be a
step in the right direction.

While the sum of $13 billion may seem imposing, this is nothing
compared to gains that the state will glean from the investment.
The phrase “you need to spend money to make money,” is
more than apt in this case. A smart population is an economically
productive population. The state can expect that as its schools
improve, so will its output.

Proposition 47 is most pertinent to communities of color since
the schools that serve them would benefit the most. Proposition 52
aims to accomplish the same long-term goal of empowerment for
underrepresented groups ““ this time in the political
arena.

The proposal, which calls for Election Day registration, would
post immediate results, particularly for students, the elderly and
communities of color. All three groups have vastly reduced their
voices in Sacramento and D.C. by virtue of their inability to
register in time for elections. Prop 52 will allow them to assert
their presence as important demographics that need to be
represented.

The six states that have implemented similar policies have all
reported marked improvement in voter participation as a result.
California’s dismal voter registration record calls for a step as
radical as this in order to reverse the state’s present trend.

Opponents of Proposition 52 charge that this policy will make
voter fraud more rampant and tougher to catch. According to them,
two forms of identification are completely inadequate in addressing
this problem. The last time I checked, I don’t need any piece of ID
to register with the drives that take place on campus or outside
the local supermarket. Voter fraud is an issue that needs to be
questioned, with or without Proposition 52.

Propositions 47 and 52 have the potential to empower both
students and communities of color with the tools of education and
political representation. Without them, these two groups will
continue to be ignored and their issues will be left
unaddressed.