Jan 30 2009
Update On The CTA Sales Tax Proposal
The CTA is almost ready to go with its sales-tax proposal. They are targeting it to go on a November 2009 Special Election that has not yet been called - and may never be called.
There is a certain irony in this plan. The CTA originally pushed for Prop. 98 because it was a way to ensure an adequate elvel of funding for schools without the need for a tax hike. Therefore, it is ironic that they are saying the proposition which they drafted and lobbied for is not doing its job, and they need a tax hike.
They are, in effect, saying that they were wrong with Prop. 98 and there does need to be a tax hike. So, if that is the truth, then they also need to campaign to rescind Prop. 98.
The CTA’s plan to raise the sales tax would raise $5 to $6 billion a year. The only place that the money could not be spent is on administration - but it could be spent on teachers. There is no guarantee that it goes to the classroom to help students.
The CTA needs to get 694,354 signatures to put this measure on the ballot. They have yet to get it approved on by the Attorney General. The CTA is also banking on there being a Novemeber special election.
Why a special election? Voter turnout is lower in special elections. Only people who are issues voters turn out in special elections, which means the CTA is more likely to pass it in a special election. If they have to wait until the general primary election, when more voters turn out than issues voters, it is less likely to pass.
So what is the CTA going to do? No one knows.
