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By Jordan Ward / Staff Writer
Halloween came early to the Riverside City College as tombstones and walking skeletons were employed in raising awareness on voting yes for Proposition 30 during an open forum on Oct. 17.
Hosted by the Associated Students of Riverside City College and Mi Familia Vota, the forum allowed for students to voice their questions and concerns.
The principal aim of the forum was to create active participation with the student body in the hopes of eliciting student aid in spreading the word on Proposition 30 through the selling of T-shirts and other materials.
Supporters of the proposition passed out fliers describing the measure’s purpose and intent, while Associated Students of RCC President Doug Figueroa addressed the affects of Proposition 30 not passing to those in attendance.
“If Proposition 30 doesn’t pass we will have to cut $8 million in our own District,” Figueroa said.
He went on to explain the probable risk of RCC shutting down, and the unavailability of resources on campus that can result in students not being able to get into half of their classes.
Proposition 30, a tax increase initiative resulting from a $56 billion cut in education, healthcare, and other critical services over the last four years, will temporary raise income and sales taxes as part of a larger statewide budget plan designed to increase revenue and funding for the state of California.
The revenue generated through the proposition will go to local school districts and Community Colleges in what is described by the 2012 Text of Proposed Laws as a “guarantee for solid reliable funding for schools, community colleges, and public safety.”
Shirts were sold during the event and emphasized the point of “Voting Yes on Prop 30 and No on Prop 38.”
Proposition 38 calls for a state personal income tax increase over 12 years. An estimated $10 billion in the subsequent years of the plan would go to K-12 schools.
The taxes are focused on providing for public schools, early childhood programs, and state debt payment. The generated revenue will go to public schools but not colleges; essentially limiting the available resources of higher forms of public education.
Mark Takano, vice president of the Riverside Community College District Board of Trustees and current Democratic Nominee for Congress, spoke at the forum.
“On a bipartisan basis, the Board of Trustees voted to support Prop 30,” said Takano. “I believe we must stay committed to higher education-public education-and continue to support proposition 30.”
Gustavo Arroyo, campaign manager for Jose Medina shared his opinion on why the ballot propositions in the general election are important.
During a brief intermission in the program the podium was opened to students in the audience before a performance by The Jalapenos Brothers.
