Victory! Prop 82 Defeated

Update: June 25, 2006

Victory! We did it! We defeated Prop 82! We helped derail Rob Reiner's Preschool-For-All train. For now, little kids in California are safe from being institutionalized in government preschools.

We are grateful for the support of many individuals who have worked tirelessly to defeat Prop 82 and who bring awareness to the whole push-to-preschool pandemic that is sweeping the nation. It's a malaise we will continue to try to eradicate with your help.

Diane Flynn Keith
Founder, UniversalPreschool.com

California AB 2150

March 28, 2006

"Better than that, there are alternative proposals that would direct pre-school dollars to where they are needed most: to disadvantaged youth who currently have no access to preschool. Assembly Bill 2150 introduced by Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy would do just that. It would expand the highly successful Ready to Start Program currently in place in Bakersfield and other communities. Its five-week intensive curriculum prepares kids just as effectively -- if not more so -- than Reiner's vision of a full year program, and does so at a fraction of the cost."

-- Jon Coupal and Tony Strickland of The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

California Proposition 82
Public Preschool Education

The following information is current as of February 14, 2006. We suggest you check the California Secretary of State's website for the latest information about intitiatives and propositions.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

Proposition 82

1151. (SA2005RF0088)

Public Preschool Education. Tax Increase on Incomes Over $400,000 for Individuals; $800,000 for Couples.

Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Summary Date: 08/15/05
Circulation Deadline: 01/12/06 Signatures Required: 598,105
Proponents: James C. Harrison and Roberta B. Johansen (510) 346-6200

Establishes right to voluntary public preschool for all four-year old children, administered by state Superintendent of Public Instruction and county school superintendents. Funded by 1.7% tax on individual income above $400,000 annually; $800,000 for couples.

Directs counties to prepare five-year assessments and annual reports regarding voluntary preschool curriculum, outreach, facilities, childcare coordination, teacher recruitment/ pay, and budgeting. Limits administrative expenses, and requires audits of county programs.

Requires state Superintendent to develop preschool teaching credential with financial aid for teachers. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased personal income taxes on high-income earners beginning in 2007, with revenues reaching approximately $2.4 billion annually in 2010-11. Revenues would support an entitlement to one year of preschool for four-year olds beginning in 2010-11. Revenues in the early years of the program could be used for facilities, teacher training, student financial aid, and early implementation of preschool services.