Get the Facts on Prop. 30

Proposition 30, sponsored by Gov. Jerry Brown, is a revenue generating initiative reflected as part of the 2012-13 state budget that would temporarily raise the state sales tax and increase personal income tax rates on incomes above $250,000. The measure is intended to partially address a structural budget deficit and ensure the state is able to fulfill its Prop. 98 K-14 education funding and local government realignment commitments by generating approximately $6 billion annually over fiscal years 2012-13 through 2016-17.

State funding cuts totaling nearly $900 million – or about 27 percent – over the last four years to the University of California have resulted in sharp tuition increases, slowed enrollment growth, staff layoffs and academic programs cuts. At UC Merced in particular, the cuts have severely hampered our ability to continue construction of academic and research buildings as planned.

Under the terms of the 2012-13 state budget, failure of Proposition 30 would cost the University of California an additional $375 million: an immediate trigger cut of $250 million, plus the loss of another $125 million in funding promised in 2013-14 to pay for this year’s freeze of mandatory systemwide student charges. The UC Board of Regents endorsed Proposition 30 at its July 18 meeting.

University resources may not be used to campaign for or against a ballot measure, but the university can share factual information about its impact on UC. Additional information is available online. 

The Merced County United Way and League of Women Voters have partnered to host a “State of Education” and voter information forum on Propositions 30 and 38, featuring speakers from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office and Public Policy Institute of California. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Merced City Council Chambers, 678 W. 18th St.