Groups consider preschool measure (Reiner to promote his initiative in San Jose Thursday)

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 21 February 2006 | Dana Hull

[CounterCounterCulture]

Groups consider preschool measure

REINER TO PROMOTE HIS INITIATIVE IN S.J.

Rob Reiner returns to San Jose on Thursday to pitch Proposition 82, his Preschool for All Act, as two key Silicon Valley business groups wrangle over whether to endorse the plan to provide a free voluntary year of preschool to all 4-year-olds in the state.

The tech-heavy Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which met with Reiner in mid-December, and the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce have yet to weigh in on the complex initiative, which goes before voters statewide June 6.

In recent weeks, a variety of opponents -- from taxpayer advocates to private preschool providers -- have coalesced into an official ``No'' campaign, complete with a ``Stop the Reiner Initiative'' Web site, fundraising and media liaison. The more vocal opposition has led some to speculate that Reiner can no longer bank on solid Silicon Valley support

more...

[CounterCounterCulture]

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED
Rob Reiner speaks Thursday at noon at the Camera 12 Theaters, 201 S. Second St., downtown San Jose, in an event hosted by the Commonwealth Club, a non-partisan, non-profit organization. He will speak for 30 minutes and take questions from the audience. The cost is $25; $15 for Commonwealth Club members. Call (800) 847-7730 or register online (www.commonwealthclub.org /sv.html).

[CounterCounterCulture]

Besides Reiner himself, early donors to the Preschool for All campaign include San Francisco investment banker Warren Hellman; Richard Riordan, Gov. Schwarzenegger's former education secretary; financier George Soros; philanthropist Eli Broad and College Trak co-founder Laurene Powell Jobs, according to campaign finance records.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Greater Bay Area ping alert

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• www.stopreiner.org
• www.universalpreschool.com

[AbeKrieger]

awwww jeez will he just STIFLE !!!!!

[bill1952]

Another meathead speaks out...

[Onelifetogive]

Rob Reiner returns to San Jose on Thursday to pitch Proposition 82, his Preschool for All Act...

I know he is a rich Hollyweird-type, but how can he afford to provide preschool for all?

[massgopguy]

Maybe he's doesn't intend to pay the teachers? sarc

[Restorer]

The problem is that the state of CA has so much surplus money it must boldly go where no state has gone before to find new ways to spend it all.

[bremenboy]

***plan to provide a free voluntary year of preschool to all 4-year-olds in the state.***

Is not free is it really? And how long before its not Voluntary?

when will the idiots that be wake up?
other countries like Japan and India are spending far less and doing so much more with education how long before the USA finds its self as a third rate nation

[CounterCounterCulture]

Is not free is it really?

They "tax the rich" to fund this (for now). And they have been using the Prop 10 tobacco tax money to promote this initiative.

And how long before its not Voluntary?

Time will tell.

[rockabyebaby]

Hey Meathead, stifle it!

[John Jorsett]

The more vocal opposition has led some to speculate that Reiner can no longer bank on solid Silicon Valley support

That's because he wants to "tax the rich." Namely, them. They're much more on-board when the tax is directed at the rest of us.