Government unions’ bond boondoggle.

The filing deadline is fast approaching for school bond measures to be submitted for the November ballot, so we thought it would be timely to remind Californians that pushing school bond measures is one of government unions’ favorite ways of creating multi-million-dollar union slush funds. 

The unions’ cookie-cutter campaign strategy is so predictable it would be laughable if it didn’t work so well for the unions, which pull out the bond measure dog-and-pony show every election cycle.

First, the proposed bond measure warns voters of some impending cataclysmic doom. “Your local schools are filled with — fill-in-the-blank (e.g., asbestos, arsenic or lead) —  and we need millions to fix your dilapidated schools to keep kids safe!

Then, government unions come out in support of the bond measure — the teachers, firefighters, law enforcement and nurses’ unions — to assure voters that the “heroes” who really care about “health and safety” support the bond. 

Scared voters think they’re doing the right thing by approving the bond, but don’t realize they (and their kids) will be paying off those borrowed millions — sometimes hundreds of millions — through higher property taxes and/or sales taxes for decades. Or that those millions go straight to political consultants, Wall Street investors and others who collect high payouts for helping school districts with amorphous campaign costs like “administration,” “communications” and “polling” work. 

After the consultants are paid, and voters stop paying attention, the government unions step in to announce the district now has a surprise “budget surplus” and demand raises and benefits like more vacation pay. 

Oh, and — shocker! — the schools don’t get improved.

Wash and repeat the next election cycle. The unions’ school bond corruption rarely gets exposed, but the money does run out, so the unions push new bond measures to pay off the last bond and get more money. It’s like using a credit card to pay off a credit card, except that voters never get any travel points or cash back.

What can be done to stop the unions’ school bond scheme?

First, informed voters and fiscally-responsible school board members (who are not already owned by government unions) can campaign against the bond measure before the November election. Many voters do not understand the nuts and bolts of school bonds, so raising awareness is key. CPC’s policy brief “Building a Better Bond” outlines seven criteria to evaluate bonds that will go a long way toward ensuring the bond proceeds serve the people, especially the students, instead of unions and special interests. 

Second, citizens must submit a strong “Argument Against” the bond measure to be included on the ballot, complete with well-respected bond opponents that will resonate with voters. The statutory deadline to file bond measures is August 12, 2022, but some counties may have earlier deadlines for submission. That leaves a very tight window for an “Argument Against” the measure to be submitted before the Registrars begin preparing ballots for the November general election.

Our Building a Better Bond brief is also a great resource for writing a compelling Argument Against. You can find out if your school district is proposing a bond measure in the news, on the school district website or through the Registrar of Voters. There’s no time to lose.

Legislature back in session for final votes.

The devil never takes a holiday, but after a month-long summer recess the California legislature will be back in session on Monday. Over the next few weeks, legislators will offer final votes on outstanding bills — including a cluster of controversial bills that threaten parental rights and personal liberty — before they head out to the campaign trail to convince everyone that they’re doing a great job and deserve another term.

“When the legislature reconvenes Monday, Californians should brace for impact,” said Lance Christensen, CPC’s Vice President of Education Policy and Government Affairs. “The Senate and Assembly are preparing to double down on policies that further diminish our quality of life while allowing the governor perpetual use of his emergency powers.”

“As we’ve seen throughout the state this last year, when voters engage, they can make a difference,” Christensen added.

Stay tuned for our newsletter next week that will include Take Action updates for key bills before the legislature heads into their final votes on hundreds of bills the last two weeks of August. The deadline for the last vote is August 31st at midnight and Gov. Newsom will have a month to sign or veto the bills that make it to his desk.

CPC’s online Candidate Academy earns high praise.

We’re hearing great things about our newly-released CLEO Candidate Academy, the online training series for Californians interested in running for school board or local office. From “It’s just what I needed!” to “It’s incredibly thorough” and our favorite “We’re organizing, recruiting and utilizing it to train up candidates,” the enthusiasm for the virtual training has been non-stop since its release last month.

It’s not too late for YOU to run for school board! The filing deadline in California is August 12, 2022. In the 8-part nonpartisan series, you’ll hear from Mari Barke, CLEO director and Orange County Board of Education Trustee; Lance Christensen, CPC’s Vice President of Education Policy and Government Affairs and candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction; and Jackson Reese, CPC’s Vice President, as they discuss key issues such as:

• What you should consider when deciding to run for office

• How to develop a campaign team and manage campaign regulations, and 

• How to best connect with voters and communicate your message.

The Candidate Academy is also a great resource for local elected officials who are already in office but want to gain new skills for their next campaign. 

You can access the online training for FREE using the code “CPCFREE” when enrolling in the Candidate Academy at calelecteds.org.

Parent Union Event: Defending against Leftist indoctrination on college campuses. 

Are you getting ready to send your high school graduate off to college and crossing your fingers they won’t come home a full-blown Marxist by Christmas? You’re not alone! Join CPC’s Parent Union for a casual discussion with CPC President Will Swaim on ways students can get through college without turning to the Dark Side and the role that unions play in indoctrinating college students. Hear Will’s story of his evolution — from becoming a political Marxist in college to a champion of American liberty at CPC today — in a relaxed atmosphere with parents and students on Friday, August 5 at 10:30am in Orange County. If you’re interested in attending, please contact Rebecca Holz, Director of CPC’s Parent Union, at [email protected].

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