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Wave of key endorsements follow recent polling showing strong support for Schools & Communities First
With a wave of critical new endorsements for the Schools and Communities First initiative, momentum continues to build behind the most important measure on the ballot this cycle. These key endorsements follow recent polling conducted with the new Title and Summary showing 58 percent support amongst likely voters, further emphasizing that Californians are ready to reclaim $12 billion every year for schools and local communities by closing corporate property tax loopholes while protecting residential property and small businesses.
The initiative has already garnered key endorsements from many of California’s most important leaders and organizations. These endorsements include state leaders such as Speaker Anthony Rendon and a large number of legislators; mayors Eric Garcetti, Michael Tubbs, and Libby Schaaf; presidential candidates Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg; and many of the most powerful community and labor groups across the state.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed and the Board of Supervisors, joined by the San Francisco Board of Education, City College Board of Trustees, and a coalition of community and labor groups, endorsed the Schools and Communities First initiative today, showing incredible unity in San Francisco:
“As someone who went to public school in San Francisco and grew up relying on our libraries, our Rec and Park programs, and Muni, I understand how important it is for local governments to have the funding necessary to provide the support that the community needs. The Schools & Communities First ballot measure will make sure that our schools are strong and our young people have the opportunity to succeed, and will support our efforts here in San Francisco to create a City that is equitable and thriving. I’m committed to supporting this measure and working to get it passed this November, because our City is stronger when we put students and communities first.” – San Francisco Mayor London Breed
“Schools and Communities First will close commercial property tax loopholes on wealthy corporations and investors and reclaim $800 million for SFUSD, City College, and San Francisco public services without affecting residential property. This influx in revenue will help retain our public school teachers, librarians, and school staff in San Francisco. It will also help us address our city’s affordable housing and mental health needs. That’s why I am so proud to pass my resolution today that puts the City and County of San Francisco on record endorsing Schools and Communities First along with our School Board and College Board.” – Supervisor Gordon Mar
“Everyone at City College is dedicated to helping our students learn new skills and build a brighter future for themselves. But budget challenges and 100+ vacant positions make it hard for many students to access critical services like priority course registration, meal vouchers, the supplemental textbook assistance program, and more. Programs serving our most vulnerable students, like the Homeless At-Risk Transitional (HART) program, are badly understaffed, while over 2,000 student veterans of the Armed Forces have only two clerical staff to serve them. That’s why it’s critical for California’s students and communities that wealthy corporations start paying their fair share.” – Maria Salazar-Colon, President of City College of San Francisco
“Working people in SF know how important it is to pass Schools and Communities First and make the biggest corporations across California pay their fair share. Whether it is our partners pushing for full funding for black and brown students, or members fighting to guarantee muni access for all San Franciscans, these resources belong in our communities and we are proud to join elected officials, organized labor, and community organizations in supporting SCF.” – Emily Lee, Director of San Francisco Rising
“I am an accountant for the City and County of San Francisco for more than 11 years. My job is to make sure that our public dollars are spent fairly. This initiative will do that.” – Tina Cen-Camarao (???), IFPTE Local 21 Member and Accountant at San Francisco Recreation and Parks
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond endorsed the Schools & Communities First initiative today in Sacramento, and was joined by the California Federation of Teachers (CFT), California Teachers Association (CTA), and California Parent Teachers Association (PTA):
“As the head of California’s educational system, it is my top priority to champion policies which give our students more opportunities to succeed. That’s why I’m endorsing the Schools & Communities First initiative. Right now, our schools and local communities face structural roadblocks to delivering on the promise of a world-class education and safe, healthy neighborhoods – corporations have avoided paying their fair share for years while school funding has fallen farther and farther behind. The Schools & Communities First initiative would reclaim $12 billion every year for our schools and local communities by closing corporate property tax loopholes. If we’re serious about addressing the historic inequities within California’s educational system and delivering results for our students, we all need to step up and pass this initiative.” – Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
“As the state’s foremost education leader, and a decades long advocate for our students, Tony understands the power and promise of what a quality public education means for every student and community in California. And that is why we are here today. Because the Schools and Communities First initiative will reclaim $12 billion every year for schools and local communities to fund classrooms and critical local services that our students and their families rely on.” – Jeff Freitas, President of the California Federation of Teachers
“We are here because we all agree that California’s schools and communities are severely underfunded, with limited resources while wealthy corporations make millions by abusing loopholes that shortchange our students. We are also here because we want similar things: good schools for our children, a healthy family, and safe neighborhoods. To achieve these goals, it will take all of us to work together.” – Mike Patterson, California Teachers Association Board of Directors
“Due to lack of funds, California schools have difficulty providing students a full curriculum including robust arts, PE, and science programs. Schools and Communities First will support students to be better prepared for the future.” – Celia Jaffe, President of California State PTA
Equality California, the state’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, announced their endorsement Monday:
“Equality California is proud to support Schools & Communities First because we believe it is a critical first step toward providing every child with a safe and supportive school and every family with the resources they need to succeed and thrive. California has led the nation in the fight for LGBTQ civil rights and social justice. But the reality is too many LGBTQ students and families across our state — especially LGBTQ immigrants, people of color and people living with HIV — still face persistent disparities in health and wellbeing. Four in 10 California youth experiencing homelessness are LGBTQ. Sixty-four percent of LGBTQ students report being bullied and harassed in school. Behind each of these statistics are real people with futures we simply cannot afford to sacrifice. Equality California is committed to creating a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people, and that starts with investing in educating all of our kids and in the vital services necessary to support our families and communities.” – Rick Zbur, Executive Director of Equality California
