The No on Proposition 1A campaign conducted an open conference call with student newspapers last week and provided extraordinary explanations into why this proposition may not be the right choice for California college students and faculty.

Among the six propositions on the ballot, the most controversial seems to be Proposition 1A, also known as "The Rainy Day Fund." Proposition 1A supporters claim that it limits state budget spending, mandates savings, controls transfers and withdrawals of the state's revenue and allows mid-year budget cut authority.

According to the Proposition 1A Web site, "Voting Yes on Proposition 1A protects us from future deficits by putting more money into California's "rainy-day" budget stabilization fund. It stops government overspending and requires students to save money during good years so we have money during bad years--like this one. It protects Californians from tax hikes and deep cuts. And it provides funding stability for key services like healthcare, education and firefighting."

"As the economy is getting worse more people are trying to attend university in order to get that degree that will propel them into the job market, but at the same time the state is trying to put a cap on its spending which will only make it even more difficult for people to enroll in community and state colleges," said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers.

The current level of funding has already forced California families to pay higher tuition and fees for a lower quality education. But next week, the CSU Board of Trustees will vote on another 10 percent student fee increase for 2009-2010, which will mean that CSU student fees will double what they were in 2004.

The fee for the CSUs for 2004-05 was $2,334 for undergraduate state residents, $2,820 for the credential program, $2,820 for graduate students and $10,170 for undergraduate out-of-state students, according the CSU press release in 2004.

"Student fees are going to be the only place where money can come from," said Lillian Taiz, President of the California Faculty Association. "The projected future for the CSU system is fewer classes and teachers, higher fees, and longer time to graduate."
Prop 1A is said, by the No on Prop 1A campaign, to have been hastily drafted behind closed doors, without public hearings or independent analysis of how it will actually work. It would require state funds to be diverted into a "rainy day fund" even in years like 2009, when we are in the depths of a recession and State revenues are falling.

"It's very important to realize 1A will take away funding from a much needed area and we're asking for the government to take care of its students," said CSU San Bernardino Sociology student Nathonas Duro, who was at the open conference call.