By Larry Sand, California Teachers Empowerment Network

It is obvious that tough economic times have come to the United States, with California being the hardest hit of all states. We hear almost daily how California’s budget crisis threatens to devastate a public education system that once led the nation. However, the California Teachers Association, the state’s 340,000-member teachers union and state affiliate of the National Education Association, seems unfazed by this grim reality.

California has more than 300,000 teachers on its payroll. However, when September rolls around, this number could be diminished by thousands and many of the still-employed will face a decrease in salary or cuts in benefits. In such a rocky economic climate you might think that CTA would accordingly not raise, or might even lower, its dues. But no, it is has decided to raise dues. The dollar amount has not yet been announced, but several sources have it at $22 for 2009-2010. (CTA uses a rather arcane formula to ascertain members’ dues; it is tied to the state’s average teachers’ salaries and since teachers’ salaries almost always rise, so do the dues.)

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Today the California Budget is officially late and no one should be surprised.  The California State Legislature, controlled by Assembly Democrat Karen Bass and Senate Democrat Darrell Steinberg failed to produce a budget that that was built to live within California’s means, instead relying on borrowing from local governments — at great cost to local social services — and establishing new taxes on oil and cigarettes.  They made no attempt to negotiate a reasonable budget with GOP leaders and instead called a last minute budget vote on Sunday evening to approve an unethical majority-vote budget — which attempts to raise taxes by circumventing the California Constitution and was promised a veto from Governor Schwarzenegger.

Governor Schwarzenegger, being put between a rock and a hard place, has declared a budget emergency and instituted a third furlough day — where State Employees are getting a third day off each month without pay.  Each state employee’s pay is now roughly 15% less than it would be if they were working full hours.

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The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers’ Association today endorsed Republican Businessman Jeff Gorell to succeed Assemblywoman Audra Strickland in the 37th Assembly District.

“Jeff Gorell is a dedicated deficit hawk who is committed to reforming wasteful government and balancing the state’s budget without higher taxes,” said Howard Jarvis Committee President Jon Coupal.  “We need Jeff Gorell as part of the taxpayer team in Sacramento.”

“As a local business owner and advocate for small business for many years, Jeff understands that economic growth, not larger government, is the solution to California’s financial woes,” continued Coupal.  “He will bring innovative reform ideas to the State Capitol that will reduce bureaucracy and eliminate government programs that don’t work.”

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