Free Republic

A top adviser to Gov. Jerry Brown suggested Wednesday the governor would veto legislative tax proposals that do not require voter approval, but the California Teachers Association remains steadfast in its belief that lawmakers should pass taxes without going to the ballot. Brown aide Steve Glazer posted on Twitter this morning that if there's two-thirds legislative support for taxes, "there's 2/3 to override Gov veto." California Teachers Association President David Sanchez said later that the Education Coalition, which includes a variety of school organizations, still does not believe taxes should be settled at the ballot. Sanchez first made this point...

California governors have appointed secretaries of education for decades, but political observers say it is no surprise Gov. Jerry Brown plans to eliminate the office. The new governor's plans reflect his no-frills style and his desire to flatten bureaucracies, beginning with the executive office. Some education officials have regarded the secretary as an unnecessary position: California already elects a superintendent of public instruction and has an 11-member board, appointed by the governor, to oversee the Department of Education. (snip) Education insiders are not expected to oppose the move, and many are cheering it. David Sanchez, president of the powerful California...

Teachers union proposes sales tax to fund schools BURLINGAME — The California Teachers Association has proposed a statewide ballot initiative to raise at least $5 billion a year for public education through a 1-cent sales tax increase. The tax would provide new, ongoing funding for schools and community colleges in a time of continuing budget shortfalls, the Burlingame-based association said. "California's budget process is broken," said David Sanchez, president of the 340,000-member CTA, "and our students and schools are suffering the consequences. More students are being squeezed into already overcrowded classrooms (and) more than 10,000 teachers and education support professionals...