Do you support Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to amend
the state constitution so higher education receives at least as
much in state funding as what is spent on prisons?
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
“Do you support Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to amend the state constitution so higher education receives at least as much in state funding as what is spent on prisons?” Yes: 5 No: 7
? Karen Anderson: “No. I think it is too simplistic a solution and I think it is time for a new constitution, not more amendments.”
? David Appling: “No. Higher education should indeed receive more funding than prisons. But I oppose tying the hands of governors and legislators by writing any, repeat any, permanent earmarks into the constitution. That’s not what constitutions are for.”
? Bert Berson: “Yes! I’m excited about his recognition of the value of higher education.”
? Chris Bryant: “Yes, we need to revitalize our higher education to remain competitive in this world economy.”
? David Cohen: “No. As a state, we need to stop ballot box budgeting whether through amendment or initiative. While education should receive more money than prisons, that should be achieved through a proper budgeting process and not in an election.”
? Dennis Kennedy: “No! As important as it is to fund education appropriately, I believe that a constitutional amendment is not the appropriate way to do it.”
? Julian Mancias: “No. Initially it sounds like a good idea but the state has to say no to further spending, even if it’s at the expense of higher education.”
? Linda McNulty: “Yes, but even with that, I don’t believe the state will come through with any additional funding. They have frequently ‘high-jacked’ promised funds in the past. I believe repealing Proposition 13 is the only answer for the educational systems in California.”
? Henry Miller: “Amend the constitution? No. Make it a stated objective, even a law. Sure. But not a constitution amendment. Then again, maybe, if we spent more on schools, we wouldn’t have to spend so much on prisons.”
? Lisa Pampuch: “No. While I agree that we should spend more on higher education than prisons, a ballot-box budgeting constitutional amendment is not the right way to accomplish that goal; legislators creating a budget that matches that priority is the proper method.”
? John Quick: “I like the concept. The devil would be in the details. Prison spending is way out of line. We need fewer people in prison and more receiving quality education – and rehabilitation instead.”
? Emily Shem-Tov: “The idea sounds great. I love the symbolic shift of emphasis and would love to see more funding to higher ed. But the reality of cutting the prison spending side of that equation is going to take equally creative thinking.”
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