Yes on Proposition 28
Additional funding for arts & music education in public schools
What is it?
Proposition 28 is an Initiative Statute which will require the state to fund arts education programs equal to 1% of the constitutionally mandated state and local funding that public schools received in the prior year. At schools with more than 500 students, 80% of these funds will be used for teacher salaries, and the remainder used for training and materials.
Why is this on the ballot?
According to Article II, Section 8 of the California Constitution, citizens may introduce statutes (laws) by collecting signatures (5% of the votes cast in the most recent Governor's race). The statute must then be approved by voters with a simple majority of 50% + 1.
The former Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, Austin Beutner, personally donated nearly $4 million to help get this on the ballot. Steve Ballmer, the former CEO of Microsoft, donated $1.5 million. The campaign spent roughly $6.4 million to collect enough signatures.
Fiscal impacts
The state will spend approximately $1 billion more money on schools. The current California State budget is around $300 billion in total, of which approximately $196 billion is in the general fund. This amount is less than one-half of one percent of the state general fund budget.
- See "Fiscal Effects" section of the Legislative Analyst Office report (PDF)
Why vote Yes?
Arts and music education is important for children. Studies have shown that arts and music education increases academic aptitude and achievement, as well as fosters skills that are important for developing brains.
Prop 28 doesn't raise taxes while ensuring the state spends nearly $1 billion annually to fund arts and music education in public schools. Because of the General Fund's current surplus, supporters don't anticipate the funding to result in cuts from other places in the state budget.
70% of the funds will be distributed according to a formula that accounts for enrollment in preschool and K-12 education. The remaining 30% will be distributed to school based on their share of low-income students. We recognize that students from wealthier families will typically have easier access to arts and music education, so we think this distribution formula that spends a little more on students from low-income families makes a lot of sense.
Overall, Prop 28 will help California students have a well-rounded education, foster important skills, and provide better instruction and materials to students across the state.