Despite close Prop. 15 loss, we will not stop advocating for full funding for our schools
We are disappointed to report that our Herculean efforts to pass Proposition 15 have been unsuccessful. The race was called this week, with the initiative receiving 48.1% of the vote, just shy of the majority needed to pass. While there are still votes left to be counted, the outcome is clear.
While we lost this campaign, we can be proud of our participation once again in a diverse coalition that came together to pass the Schools and Communities First initiative. Dozens of labor, faith, and community groups worked tirelessly, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to challenge some of the wealthiest corporations in the country to demand that they pay their fair share for our schools and our communities.
And while we lost this round, we are all committed to fighting for a fair, progressive tax system that fully funds our schools and essential services.
Thanks again to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to pass Prop. 15. Your efforts are appreciated and will be the foundation to continue the fight.
This week we celebrate the victory of Biden/Harris, but we must still be vigilant
With the news this past Saturday that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were projected to win the presidential election, educators and school workers celebrated with millions of others throughout the country. As of today, the race has now been called in every state with Joe Biden amassing 306 Electoral College votes to Donald Trump's 232. Joe Biden has received over 5.3 million more votes than Trump in the national popular vote.
The election of Joe Biden is not just a repudiation of the Trump administration, but a solid step forward for our communities and our schools. Nowhere is this more evident than in public education.
Incoming First Lady Jill Biden is a lifelong educator, who has taught high school and is currently teaching English at a community college. Having an educator in the White House, who understands what it means to teach and work in our schools, is critical in moving on from the disastrous tenure of Betsy DeVos. Already, the incoming Biden administration is looking at increasing resources for public schools, expanding its civil rights advocacy for marginalized students, and reasserting the Department of Education’s leadership in policy making.
You can hear Jill Biden share a special message of thanks with members of the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association on Monday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. PST. RSVP now for this special webinar.
Unfortunately, Donald Trump continues to deny that he has lost the election, and is dangerously trying to subvert our democracy in an effort to cling to power. Election officials have declared that the 2020 presidential election was the most secure in American history. It’s time for the lies to stop. It will be up to all of us to maintain vigilance through the next steps in the process up until Biden is sworn in on January 20, 2021. This was the most open and accessible election we’ve ever had, despite the GOP’s voter suppression efforts. We will also need to continue to defend voting rights in the years to come.
Georgia Senate runoffs up next...
Finally, runoff elections in Georgia for the state’s two U.S. Senate seats are currently underway. The races are critical in determining which party controls the Senate. Stay tuned for opportunities on how to get involved.
CFT President Jeff Freitas recaps the election and discusses stress in the workplace on this week’s CFT Facebook broadcast
CFT President Jeff Freitas discusses election results and educator and school worker stress in this weeks edition of CFT's weekly Facebook broadcast. To tune in to the broadcast, go to the CFT Facebook page.
