Schwarzenegger Terminates the Opposition to Proposition 49
by R. J. Whittier and Christopher Gearon
The state of California is moving ahead with all deliberate speed with plans for a $400 to $550 million-a-year initiative to fund after-school activities for K-9 students, much to the delight of sponsor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The action-movie star put his muscle behind a ballot referendum in the fall election that mandated the sweeping initiative. Proposition 49 prevailed with 56 percent of the vote, requiring the state to begin planning for an anticipated launch in nearly 6,600 schools by 2004. "I am proud to declare victory for our kids, victory for after-school programs, victory for our families, and victory for the safety of our neighborhoods," said Schwarzenegger. "Californians have overcome the special interests and the politicians who talk about after-school programs without standing up and adequately funding a statewide program.... My hope is, as California, so goes the rest of the nation."
Proposition 49—officially entitled the After School Education and Safety Program Act of 2002—earmarks up to $550 million of the state's annual budget for before- and after-school tutoring, homework assistance, and educational achievement. It was backed by a broad coalition of forces, including the California Taxpayers' Association, California Teachers Association, PTA, The California State Sheriffs Association, and AARP.
Proponents argued that it would save taxpayers $9 for every $1 spent by cutting costs for juvenile crime, grade repetition, and remedial education. Backers also pointed to studies showing that after-school programs reduce gang activity, drug use, and juvenile incarceration. As a result, law enforcement came out in force to support the campaign, seeking to keep an estimated 1 million latchkey kids out of gangs, off drugs, and in school.
The opposition came from unexpected quarters. The California League of Women Voters and American Federation of Teachers warned that setting aside money for after-school programs could undercut all social services. The detractors claimed that protecting a permanent, half-a-billion-dollar chunk of the state budget for schools could force cuts in welfare and health services for poor families. Furthermore, opponents warned, the initiative tied the hands of state lawmakers, who would be powerless to amend the act should it go astray.
"Even with a popular celebrity sponsor outspending us one thousand to one, 2.7 million California voters saw Prop 49 for what it was, a-rob-Peter-to-pay-Paul initiative that could hurt more kids than it helps," said state league president Barbara Inatsugu. "We started this campaign in lone opposition to Prop 49, but we ended the campaign with a coalition of influential supporters and millions of voters who understand the dangers of mandated spending programs."
And given the state's sagging economy, funding remains an issue. The initiative-based on the expectation that the state economy will stage a comeback in the short term-does not raise taxes or create new revenue sources. Even its authors don't want to set bad economic policy. Under the act, funds cannot be allocated to schools until state revenue for noneducation programs grows by at least $1.5 billion. The state legislative analyst's office predicts that the economy will recover by mid-2004.
Meanwhile Schwarzenegger, known for his starring roles in such over-the-top action flicks as Collateral Damage and The Terminator, has been seen as a possible candidate for California governor in 2006. But the tough-talking actor has also been center stage on children's issues for years.
Appearing more comfortable with a real-life role more akin to Kindergarten Cop than Conan the Barbarian, the father of four represented the Special Olympics, headed up the President's Council on Physical Fitness, and launched inner-city youth games before spearheading Proposition 49.
Says Schwarzenegger: "I am passionate about helping kids."
