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CFT Statement on the demise of AB 5

The failure of AB 5 to make it out of the California Legislature is a setback for
the education community and all those who believe education reform requires a
truly collaborative effort.
AB 5, A Best Practices Teacher Evaluation System (Fuentes), provided a much
needed step forward in improving the teacher evaluation process by
incorporating best practices, community member engagement, and local
negotiations, thereby moving away from a top-down, one size fits all approach.

Click on the above link to read more.

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CFT Statement on Pension Reform

The following statement was issued today by the California Federation of
Teachers on the pension reform legislation:
We are disappointed that some elements of the pension reform plan currently
before the Legislature scapegoat public employees who have spent years
educating our children, cleaning our schools, providing services for the needy
and ensuring public safety. Public employee pensions are not the main cause, or
even a major cause, of the State’s on-going budget problems, and portrayals as
such are misleading.

Click on the above link to read more.

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Yes on Proposition 30

Proposition 30 Fact Sheet

 

What is it?

INCOME TAX
Increases the state income tax on top earners by 1-3 percent for seven years, starting Jan, 1, 2012, and ending Dec. 31, 2018.

·       For taxable income above $250,000 for single filers and above $500,000 for joint filers, the rate for the portion above those thresholds would increase by 1 percent, from 9.3 percent to 10.3 percent. (No change from governor’s previous measure.)

·       For taxable income above $300,000 for single filers and above $600,000 for joint filers, the rate for the portion above those thresholds would increase by 2 percent, from 9.3 percent to 11.3 percent. (.5% increase over governor’s previous measure)

·       For taxable income above $500,000 for single filers and above $1 million for joint filers, the rate for the portion above those thresholds would increase by 3 percent, from 9.3 percent to 12.3 percent. (1% increase over governor’s previous measure.)

 

SALES TAX
Raises the statewide sales tax by a quarter-cent, from 7.25 percent to 7.5 percent, for four years, starting Jan. 1, 2013, and ending Dec. 31, 2016. (Reduction from half-cent in governor’s previous measure.)

REVENUES
Approximate percentages of progressive income tax and regressive sales tax revenues:
85% progressive, 15% regressive.

Expected revenues:

First year (includes 18 months of income tax revenue): $7 - 9 billion

Ongoing: $5 - 7 billion per year

 
 

Prop 30 Talking Points

·       Over $18 billion has been cut from public education over the last several years

·       Without Prop 30 our schools and colleges face another $5.4 billion in cuts this year

·       Prop 30 would raise up to $9 billion this year and ongoing revenue of $5-7 billion a year

·       Prop 30 keeps cops on the streets and firefighters employed

·       Prop 30 balances the state’s budget and pay down the state’s debt

·       The tax measure is temporary

·      Mandatory independent audits will assure the money is spent on schools and public safety
 

Is it fair?

·       The top 1% has taken over 50% of the income growth over the past decade but is paying the lowest rate of state taxes than all the rest of us!

·       This tax will allow the top 1% to be taxed at a rate similar to the rest of us.

·      See attached flier
 

Polling Numbers


One recent poll (PACE/USC) indicates that the tax measure has a 55%-36% advantage. However, revenue measures generally lose support as the election nears. We have lots of work to do on this proposition.

Letter from the Acting Local President & Secretary - August 2012


August 29, 2012

Dear AFT Member:

Subject: Proposed Changes to the RVCC Support Staff Federation Constitution/September AFT Meetings

As the Fall 2012 semester at Raritan Valley Community College begins, the AFT Support Staff Federation executive team would like to thank you for all that you do, especially at this busy time of the school year, to keep RVCC running smoothly and help students successfully adapt to college life and activities. You are the glue that holds RVCC together, often behind the scenes, and we want you to know how much we appreciate each of you and value your contribution to the RVCC community.

There have been many changes at the college over the past few months; partly in response to these we have closely examined the Classified Staff Constitution and proposed a number of changes to update it.

On Wednesday, September 5, from 12:30 to 1 pm and 1 to 1:30 pm in the Atrium there will be a Classified Support Staff membership meeting to discuss the changes to the constitution. Then on Tuesday, September 11, again from 12:30 to 1 pm and 1 to 1:30 pm in Conference Center Room 101 there will be a second membership meeting when we will vote on the constitution, introduce the Chair of the Elections Committee, and open the
floor to nominations for officers. On a date TBA (probably the following week) results of the constitution vote will be announced and a secret election of officers will be held in accordance with the RVCC AFT Classified Support Staff constitutional guidelines.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Donna Gero or Allison Gill. Once again, thank you for your hard work on the behalf of the RVCC community, and we wish you a very happy Labor Day!

Sincerely,

Donna Gero, Acting President, and Allison Gill, Secretary – AFT Classified Support Staff Union

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Governor's Press Pension Reform Document

Hi All,

If you haven't done so already, please call your legislators immediately and ask them to oppose the Governor's pension bill. The body of this story has a letter from Dolores Sanchez with the legislator's phone number link in it. Click to see it. The bill will be voted on as early as today and no later than Friday, so call right now.


 

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Share My Lesson

Members of the La Joya and McAllen Federation of Teachers gathered for a press conference on August 9, 2012, to learn about a new initiative from the American Federation of Teachers called, "Share My Lesson." It is a website where all teachers can register to upload/download effective lessons and strategies they think might be helpful to other teachers around the world. Speaking at the press conference was Louis Malfaro, Texas AFT Secretary-Treasurer; Ruth Skow, McAllen AFT President; Greg Barrerra, La Joya AFT President; Barbara Gonzalez, McAllen AFT Member/Kindergarten Teacher; and Torchy Champion, McAllen AFT Member/Teacher

Ideology and profit trump good policy in White’s press release

(Baton Rouge – August 24, 2010) In touting the product of a researcher nationally recognized for studies biased in favor of school vouchers, Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White continues down the path of rhetoric and partisan politics at the expense of taxpayers and school children, Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan said today.

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