CTA Campaign Update 10/18/12

CTA Campaign Update 

I wanted to acknowledge the Community College Association and the California Faculty Association, which are organizing student voter registration drives around the state. Already our CCA members have registered several thousand students at Solano College, San Joaquin Delta, Mt. San Antonio College, Long Beach City College, and College of the Canyons. Students are also standing with faculty in rallies and marches. Marisha Sharon was one of 50 students who joined Long Beach City College faculty in a march last Saturday. She explained, “I participated in the march because I am aware of the consequences that will take place if we don't take action and make our opinion clear. This semester I was extremely lucky to get the classes I needed, even though I was No. 15 on a waiting list. Several of my classes are jam-packed, while many students had to stand or sit on the floor for the first few weeks… I came back to school to gain a better education to create a better future for my daughter and me. It seems this goal is going to take a lot longer than expected.”

This is one of the reasons why it is so important we pass Yes on Prop. 30. It is the only funding initiative that will help our colleges and universities as well as K-12 schools.

Here’s what you can do this week:
If you are a State Council member, we need to see you at one of the 25 sites around the state where we will be walking precincts and phone-banking. It’s all part of the final campaign push to urge voters to say Yes to Prop. 30 and No to Prop. 32. And even if you’re not on State Council, there are plenty of ways to get involved!

Don't Miss
CTA has a great new tool — an online voter guide that includes all state and local school board races as well. You just punch in your address and all CTA recommendations come up. It’s also been posted on our website and on our Facebook page.  

Things to Know
Money from billionaires keeps pouring into campaign coffers. Just this week, a “shadowy Phoenix-based group” called Americans for Responsible Leadership contributed $11 million to the Small Business Action Committee PAC’s No on Proposition 30 / Yes on Proposition 32 committee late Tuesday. This is on top of $20 million dropped by Charles Munger Jr. In fact, he and his sister Molly have poured $54 million into their pet propositions. It’s daunting, but we are not going to let this election be bought. We can’t match these billionaires dollar for dollar, but we can mobilize our members, our friends, our family and our neighbors to vote.


Students, some with children in tow, joined Long Beach City College faculty in a march through Belmont Shore in Long Beach Saturday.

Dean E. Vogel
CTA President