Yes on 81



Remember Measure V earlier in the year? Its main goal was to raise funds through a half cent rise in the taxes to keep our libraries open. Proposition 81 does just that without the tax increase.

Proposition 81 will provide at the maximum of six hundred million dollars ($600,000,000) to strictly be used only to build or renovate libraries throughout California. After that, local communities will be responsible for the long-term maintenance and operation cost.

The funding for Proposition 81 does not come from our taxes; it is created with a combination of 65 percent state grants with 35 percent of locally generated funds.

Proposition 81 will expand libraries throughout California. These libraries will be used by many people, young and old. Ultimately it should increase the literacy rate of California residents by providing the materials, (newer books) and the ways, (newer libraries) and possible the means through the entertainment of feeding our imagination.

It’s true, there are a lot of people who have never stepped a foot into the library but what about the ones who have almost everyday, the ones who would rather read then to destroy their brain cells on television or hang out with the wrong crowd. What about them?

Proposition 81 will help keep the kids learning and safely keep them off the streets. Proposition 81 should pass. If you are not registered to vote, then I suggest that you inform your parents that on June 6th they will be able to vote for better libraries.

I encourage people to vote “YES” on 81

No on 82

Proposition 82 for the June 6th ballot has a great goal, but the process of getting there is very inefficient for California.

Proposition 82 is supposed to help preschoolers. It provides free preschool education for every 4-year-old who is a state resident by 2010. It will give the preschoolers a better chance to read earlier in life which will boost the achievement level of every child. In addition, the funding for proposition 82 will also be locked to only be spent on preschools.

Proposition 82 is meant to help the average preschoolers and ultimately help America as a whole in the future, however there is a great downside to is as well.

Proposition 82 will be adding a 1.7 percent increase to the income tax of Californian residents who earn $400,000 ($800,000 for married couples) or more a year. Even though that tax will not affect most residents in Salinas, It will affect many in California which will in return hurt our economy and will hurt us. Another downside of Proposition 82 is that it will only increase the preschool enrollment for 4-year-olds statewide from 64 percent to only 70 percent. A six percent increase (only 6 more kids out of 100) is minimal compared to the amount of money that will be taken out of California.

Proposition 82 will also give the state the power to dictate the philosophy and goals for every preschool. Parents will no longer have the ability to decide for their children whither or not the child will attend preschool for academic training or just to enhance the child’s social skills.

Ultimately I believe Proposition 82 is wrong for California. It cost too much for such a little change.

I encourage people to vote “NO” on 82.