For most students, the upcoming statewide special election in
November will likely have an indirect or long-term effect, rather
than impacting their daily lives.
There will be eight ballot propositions on the Nov. 8 special
election, called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in June, dealing
with issues ranging from discounts on prescription drugs to the
status of public school teachers.
Students will likely be most directly affected by Proposition
76, which deals with state spending, and Proposition 78, which
would prevent minors from receiving an abortion until 48 hours
after parental notification.
This second proposition would only affect students under the age
of 18, so most students may not personally feel the effects if it
passes.
“I doubt (the special election) will affect students now,
but it will affect our futures,” said Derek Lowrey, president
of Bruin Democrats.
But exactly how the special election, and namely Prop. 76, will
impact students is a matter of some disagreement.
Prop. 76 aims to pull California further out of debt through
mandatory cuts in the budget and would give the governor sole
authority to allocate funds as he wishes.
The UC relies on state funding, and public education at all
levels demands a large portion of the state budget.
Some believe these modifications to state spending will help the
California economy recover.
Matt Knee, former chairman of the Bruin Republicans, said the
special election has the potential to make the difference between
an accountable, responsible, prosperous state and an indebted,
politically stagnant one.
But he also said any measure that restores the state’s
financial health will inevitably cut funding for schools, given the
large proportion of the state budget that goes toward
education.
For this reason, the proposition could potentially mean a loss
in funding for the UC.
Matthew Baum, associate professor of political science and
communications, said he doubts the proposition would be in the best
interests of the UC as set budgeting may allow for less
negotiations in funding for UC schools.
“Whenever the state finds itself in difficult spending
situations, education is vulnerable to being cut,” Baum
said.
Some also see the special election as a political move, both to
boost Schwarzenegger’s re-election campaign and to take some
of the heat off of politicians when it comes to budget cuts.
Schwarzenegger was popular during his first year in office, but
his approval ratings have started to plummet.
According to The Associated Press, 36 percent of Californians
say they would like to see Schwarzenegger stay in office for a
second term, while 56 percent want him out.
Further, Associated Press polls show that 57 percent of
Californians say they are against having the special election.
Lowrey said he believes the governor is using the special
elections to bolster his position in government.
Baum also pointed to a broader political agenda.
“Mandatory budget rules make it easier (for) politicians
to avoid being blamed by constituents for unpopular budget
cuts,” Baum said.
He added that he believes the legislature and government
haven’t been able to make decisions on the budget, so this is
an easier way to solve the dilemma.
With reports from the Associated Press.