California Teachers Association Drops $2 Million on Budget Prop
Californians, get ready for a slew of TV ads featuring crying children, dilapidated school buildings, crowded classrooms, the breaking of the Seven Seals, and the coming of the Four Horsemen. The California Teachers Association contributed $2 million to the campaign for the passage of Proposition 1B, which would guarantee $9.3 billion to public schools from the “rainy day reserve fund” to be created if Proposition 1A passes. If 1A fails, 1B is moot.
The campaign is going to need every cent’s worth of hyperbole and scare-mongering because a new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California shows only one of the six budget initiatives enjoys majority support – and that one is the one banning legislative pay hikes in budget deficit years.
Historically, California ballot initiatives have needed to begin with a huge “Yes” advantage because support tends to dwindle over time – regardless of what the initiative is about. It is very rare for “Yes” to overcome an initial deficit, so it’s clear to everyone that the budget measures are in serious trouble.
I’ve learned over the years not to underestimate CTA’s campaigning prowess, but the union’s strength lies in defeating hostile initiatives, not in passing its own. It’s likely this $2 million, and whatever money comes after it, will be wasted. Better to think of it as CTA’s contribution to stimulus spending for the political consultant, polling and media advertising industries.
