Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1400485
E D U C A T O R S U R G E C A L I F O R N I A N S to vote no in the Sept. 14 recall election and keep proven leader and friend of public education Gavin Newsom at the helm as governor. CTA State Council of Education voted overwhelmingly at its June meeting to oppose the recall and support Gov. New- som, who has a history of working side by side with educators for the resources our schools need and our students deserve. "Educators stand in strong opposi- tion to the recall of Gov. Newsom," CTA President E. Toby Boyd says. "From our c l a ssro o m v a n t a ge p o i n t d u r i n g th e pandemic, we didn't always agree on approach, but we've never questioned his commitment to California's students and public education." At a time when public funds are needed to support our schools, students and families, the state will spend an estimated $276 million to hold the recall election a year before the next regularly scheduled gubernatorial elec- tion. e recall effort is funded by anti-union billionaires who want to roll back decades of progress and defund public education, with the goal of putting forth a school voucher initiative in 2022. " The donors belong to a national network of bil- lionaires who attack public education and are actively Vote No on the Recall Gov. Newsom is committed to strong public schools and communities By Julian Peeples How will the recall election work? All California voters will receive a ballot in the mail asking for a vote on the recall and then a selection for governor. If a majority votes yes on the recall, the candidate with the most votes becomes governor. It is possible for the winner to receive less than 50 percent of the votes. working to lower wages, eliminate healthcare and under- mine our voting rights," Boyd says. "We've made a lot of progress as a state, and we look forward to working with a large and broad coalition to defeat this anti-worker, anti-union recall effort." Newsom continues to support California's public schools, colleges, working families and communities. In February, he prioritized vaccines for educators, pav- ing the way for a safe return to in-person instruction. Newsom's budget provides record funding for public education, with landmark investments in early child- hood education, community schools, and a focus on the whole child. "The governor's budget includes historic increases for the restart and recovery of our school and college campuses," Boyd says. "His plan to expand transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds and his investment in social and emotional supports will help give students a promising start to a bright future." Newsom is also leading with record investments to address California's afford- able housing and homelessness crisis, expand affordable health care and child care, and increase wildfire preparedness. " G o v. N e w s o m's c o m m i t m e n t t o California's working families and com- munities is long-standing," Boyd says. "He has worked with educators to bring accountability and transparency to corpo- rate charter schools, support equity and social justice, and protect workers' safety and rights on the job." Mail voting will begin Aug. 16, and all voters must be registered by Aug. 30 to vote unconditionally in the recall election. Polling places will also be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 14. Check your registration status and find your polling place at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Boyd urges all educators to support Gov. Newsom and vote no on the recall. "We have to stop this recall, and I hope that you will help us," he says. For more information, visit cta.org/recall. * 38 cta.org Advocacy Gov. Gavin Newsom