By marking “yes” on Proposition 30, students could provide the votes needed to pass a ballot measure that would stop a multimillion-dollar cut to the University of California.
Let’s face it: Two of the most prominent elections are already a done deal in California. President Barack Obama and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) are guaranteed to win their elections in the state. As a result, some students could decide not to vote, believing that their ballots will make no difference in this election.
But that is far from the case.
Prop. 30 ““ a measure that directly impacts UCLA students ““ is hovering around 50 percent approval in polls.
In other words, when it comes to Prop. 30, your vote matters.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s recent campaign aimed at encouraging college students specifically to vote in favor of Prop. 30 is a clear indicator of just how much your vote matters.
What’s also clear to us is that Prop. 30 must pass.
The state has made an agreement with the UC ““ if the measure passes and the University freezes tuition this year, the state will allocate $125 million to the UC in 2013-2014.
If voters do not approve this measure, the state will make a $250 million cut to the UC, and students may face mid-year tuition hikes of 20 percent or more.
In no scenario does Prop. 30 provide substantial, no strings attached benefits for the UC. But the implications of this measure’s failure to pass will be felt by students. Even students planning to graduate in June won’t be able to escape mid-year tuition increases.
Looking beyond the effect on higher education, Prop. 30’s passage would also positively impact the K-12 system and keep the state’s public education pipeline to colleges strong.
Should voters approve Prop. 30, K-12 and community colleges would avoid a $5.4 billion budget reduction. The tax revenue generated by Prop. 30 would go to these areas, freeing up state funds for other public institutions, such as the UC.
Right now, the student vote in favor of Prop. 30 appears far from locked in.
Only 35 percent of students polled said they would vote “yes” for the proposition, according to a Daily Bruin/UCLA Department of Statistics survey conducted between Sept. 24 and Oct. 9.
These figures, recorded with about a month to go until election day, may not be an accurate reflection of the current sentiment across campus. And understandably, students might be unaware of Prop. 30’s impact on the UC because the text of the ballot measure does not explicitly refer to the University.
But at the end of the day, it would be a shame if this excuse prevented the passage of Prop. 30.
We urge you to vote “yes” on Prop. 30, not only because this measure supports the UC, but also because your vote could make a difference.
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board.