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The facts of Propositions 76

Prop. 76 would allow current and future governors to cut any program by any amount.

Prop. 76 gives unilateral power to current and future California governors.

	The power to unilaterally overturn labor contracts made with workers who are paid with a portion of state money as well as state workers.
	The power to unilaterally gut school funding guarantees that voters put into our Constitution over a decade ago.
	The power to unilaterally cut any program by any amount he chooses once he declares a fiscal emergency.
	The power to unilaterally undo decisions made by voters, such as voter-approved mental health services for children funded by Prop. 63.
	The power to unilaterally override state laws that require spending, without any review or approval by voters or the legislature.
	An incentive not to compromise and get the budget done on time because the new powers take effect when a budget can’t be worked out within 45 days of the Governor’s self declared fiscal emergency.

Prop. 76 harms California’s schools and our children’s future.
California is 44th in the nation in per-pupil funding; 49th in teacher-student ratio; 50th in the number of guidance counselors, librarians, computers, and library books per student. Prop. 76 guts California’s voter-mandated school funding law by:

	Taking $4 billion away from schools.
	Slashing $25,000 from every classroom in the state, $600 per student.
	Eliminating the school-funding guarantee that one year’s shortfalls will be repaid when revenues increase again.
	Creating financial instability for schools by exposing them to mid-year cuts.

That’s why the California PTA, the California Teachers Association, and other organizations whose number one priority is the future of our children oppose the Power Grab Initiative.

Prop. 76 gives Gov. Schwarzenegger unilateral power to cut police, firefighters, protective services for our children and elders, and ALL vital services depending on state funding.

The California State Association of Counties says the initiative threatens the critical safety services that local governments provide:

police
fire protection
emergency rooms
hospitals

Talk to your Local 535 Union Rep. or steward to learn more about registering to vote and voting by mail. Please visit the SEIU Local 535 web site, www.seiu535.org.