Changing Prop. 98

We are baffled and dismayed by the governor’s proposal, which, among other things, calls for a change in Proposition 98 making the required funding level a maximum instead of a minimum (“Wilson Urges Cap on Schools’ Prop. 98 Funds,” Aug. 19).

Californians voted for Proposition 98 because they wanted education to be a top priority for their state. The recent Field Poll overwhelmingly shows that strong support for education still exists. For the governor to single-handedly decide what should and should not be the base level of funding for K-14 students is a slap in the face to all Californians!

The level of funding provided by Proposition 98 is critical to education. Even with Proposition 98, California still ranks in the bottom half of the country in per pupil expenditures. Just think what would happen if the governor has his way. Public education could receive $1 billion less per year, which would mean larger class sizes, and fewer teachers, textbooks and teaching assistants.

The governor’s plan is fundamentally flawed and the Proposition 98 component is only one of many problems.

GLORIA BLACKWELL, President, California State PTA, Los Angeles