Westside Democrats wary of giving Governor his Props
MID CITY — Westside Democrats have opened a Santa Monica headquarters from which they intend to fight the governor’s special election and other ballot measures, two of which they believe will undermine public education in California.
A group calling itself the Democratic Westside Coalition (DWC) has opened up an office at 1508 18th St. from where volunteers will host ballot-initiative information events, conduct phone-banking, voter registration and walk area precincts.
Three of the eight ballot measures — Propositions 74, 76 and 77 — were initiated by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his supporters. Two of them will affect public education, according to Marc Saltzberg, president of the West L.A. Democratic Club and a chief organizer of the local campaign.
“We have a positive message to bring to the voters,” Saltzberg said. “We want to let them know they can protect their sons and daughters from the special interests assembled to support the governor and his agenda.
“Our new headquarters will allow us to spread the word more effectively and with one voice.”
Proposition 74, which Schwar-zenegger has dubbed the “Put Kids First Act,” is a measure which its supporters say is intended to improve teacher accountability in the classroom by putting them on probation for five years before they can obtain a permanent position.
Darrel Ng, a Schwarzenegger campaign spokesperson, said there are only 12 states that have a probationary period of one or two years. The other 38 states have probationary periods of three years or more.
California’s teachers also are paid an average of $58,287 per year, while the national average is $46, 726, Ng said. At the same time, California’s cost of living is only 6 percent higher than the national average, yet the state’s teachers earn 23 percent more than the national average. Proposition 74 would improve California’s education system by being able to better manage some teachers, Ng said.
“The governor’s ultimate goal is to provide the best education he can to California’s students,” Ng said. “The governor believes the vast majority of teachers are good teachers, but most people can think of those who don’t belong in the classroom.
“This process would help eliminate teachers who are performing poorly in the classroom.”
“This process would help eliminate teachers who are performing poorly in the classroom.” — DARREL NG Campaign spokesperson
Saltzberg said DWC activists disagree with Schwarzenegger’s conclusions about what effects Prop. 74 will have on public education.
First, he said the ballot measure, if approved, would detract the best educators from working in California, since it’s not realistic to expect top talent to endure a five-year probationary period, when they could go somewhere else.
Second, he said people who are working during a probationary period tend to not speak up. Having a five-year probationary period may serve as means for administrators to have more control over their teachers.
“We don’t see how this in any way will improve education, and we think it will do exactly the opposite,” Saltzberg said.
Proposition 76, which Schwarzenegger has dubbed the “Live Within Our Means Act,” is intended to improve the manner in which the state manages its financial affairs by preparing a “rainy day fund” for future economic downturns. It also would allow Schwarzenegger to make mid-year cuts to some groups that receive funding.
“For too long, California has spent more than it has brought in,” Ng said. “Proposition 76 would require that California live within its means.”
Since 2000, according to Ng, state revenues have increased by $12.5 billion while expenditures have increased by $23.5 billion. Proposition 76 is intended to stabilize revenue over a period of years. It would also eliminate one of the major ways to reduce education funding, Ng said.
The DWC doesn’t see Proposition 76 in such a favorable light. Saltzberg said the ballot measure is “draconian,” taking money away from schools that was guaranteed in previous legislation.
“The bottom line is, it will reduce the amount of money flowing into education,” Saltzberg said. “It also gives the governor powers to declare a budgetary emergency whenever expenditures are more than budget levels.
“No other governor or president has this ability. It is an imperial amendment, and this is the emperor.”
The DWC will be encouraging the public to vote “no” on Propositions 73 through 78, and “yes” on Propositions 79 and 80, Saltzberg said.
The group will kick off its campaign with a public celebration to be held on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. Local city councilmembers from Santa Monica and Los Angeles, state representatives and senators have been invited to attend.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 16, 2005. Read the original PDF.