"Schools & Communities First" ballot measure campaign hits a huge milestone: 1.7 million signatures of support
With the COVID-19 crisis, we are all sharply aware of the vital roles schools and other community institutions play in our daily lives. And as government at every level struggles to respond effectively to the crisis, we are also deeply aware of the need for policies that support critical institutions like schools, hospitals, and other community-based services.
So we are delighted to share that just a few weeks (and three lifetimes) ago, the Schools & Communities First campaign announced the submission of more than 1.7 million signatures of support to get on the November 2020 ballot – the most signatures ever submitted in California for a ballot initiative.
As a member of the coalition that supports this campaign, CalNonprofits is proud that this achievement came weeks ahead of schedule and surpassed the original 1.6 million signature goal.
The Schools & Communities First initiative would direct $12 billion every year to the most pressing needs in our communities while protecting homeowners, renters, and small businesses.
A recent report from the University of Southern California (USC) showed that every county in the state stands to benefit from the Schools & Communities First initiative.
“These 1.7 million signatures represent 1.7 million reasons to pass Schools & Communities First in November, in support of our teachers, public health workers, nurses, doctors, sanitation workers, and first responders who are saving lives and making our communities more resilient.” – Joseph Tomás Mckellar of PICO California, a network of faith-based, multicultural community organizations representing 400 congregations and 450,000 families across California.
What will, and won't, the Schools & Communities First ballot measure do?
This measure ensures that our schools and communities come first – with the resources to educate all of our kids and the services to support all of our families. This ballot measure:
- PROTECTS all homeowners and renters by maintaining tax protections for ALL residential property.
- RECLAIMS over $12 billion per year for K-12 schools, community colleges, and local communities.
- CLOSES commercial property tax loopholes and ends shady schemes that big corporations and wealthy investors use to avoid paying their fair share of property taxes.
- PROVIDES one of the largest tax incentives in a generation to spur new investments in small businesses.
- ENSURES strict accountability so that money goes directly to our students and communities.
You can sign up for updates directly from the campaign here.
KPFK is a member of CalNonprofits. The California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) is a statewide membership organization that brings nonprofits together to advocate for the communities we serve.
