Do we need Measure E, too?

A slightly new School Board has been sworn in. They have major challenges ahead to make education of the children their first priority. They also have a duty of sound financial responsibility to the taxpayers.

The election is over but not the issues. Proposition 30 makes $6 billion available for schools, fulfilling the State of California responsibly, curing shortfalls and funding schools well. The big question the School Board must answer to the taxpayers is, why they also need Measure E?

I ran for School Board on two premises: priority one, to excellence in education, and second, sound financial responsibility to the taxpayers. I will remain opposed to their policies should they fail the children or the taxpayers in their decisions.

I want to express my sincere thank you to the 6,181 voters who voted for me and to the 9,253 voters who voted No on Measure E. Despite passing by barely 2 percent, the opposition to these parcel taxes grew 100 percent, almost doubling in six months from 4,761 No votes on Measure C to the 9,253 No votes of Measure E.

Since Proposition 30 passed, $6 billion  are newly available for schools. This has cured the deficit in California and now there are no budget “shortfalls.” Remember the School Board used this as a tactic to pass Measure E. Will they have the honesty to give the money back to the taxpayers?

During the campaign I requested that the School District administrators (the folks that make $16,000 a month) answer why they also needed Measure E. I was met with silence. Remember as a school board candidate, I supported Proposition 30 because it is through our income taxes that it is the right way to fund schools, not through unfair parcel taxes. I vehemently opposed Measure E, not only because it is double taxation, but because of the deceptive and unfair tactics the School Board used to pass the measure.

Now, Measure E and its validity are in the hands of the courts. We will see whether the check and balances of our wonderful democratic and legal system work.

Jose J. Granda
Davis