Students Come Out Ahead in 2022 Midterm Ballot Initiatives
California - Proposition 28
YES 62% NO 38%
Provides additional funding from state General Fund for arts and music education in all K–12 public schools (including charter schools). (California Secretary of State)
This ballot initiative received little opposition. However, Hollywood celebrities such as the creators of “Everybody Loves Raymond,” Barbra Streisand and Katy Perry came out in force to support the initiative. Only 1 in 5 California schools have an arts and music program. Proposition 28 will set aside $1 billion ifn support of school music and art programs in California (Hubler). A study by Brookings Institute revealed that an arts program can decrease disciplinary infractions, increase writing proficiency, increase compassion, and increase school engagement (Kasida and Bowen).
Colorado - Proposition FF
YES 56% NO 44%
Raises taxes on those with incomes over $300,000, with the proceeds to finance school meal programs.
This ballot initiative will raise $100 million by raising taxes on individuals who make over $300,000 to create the “Health School Meals for All Program to provide free meals for students in public school.” (Colorado Secretary of State). Over 100 Colorado non-profit organizations supported the initiative with no organized opposition (Metzger). The funding measure comes after the expiration of a pandemic-era federal program providing free lunch to students expired this year (Desjardin and Cuevas). The CDC reported that students who are provided school meals can have a more nutritious meal, have better attendance, and have higher test scores (Center for Disease Control). Furthermore, 1 in 7 students “live in households without consistent access to adequate food” (School Nutrition Association).
Idaho - Advisory Ballot
APPROVE 80% DISAPPROVE 20%
Do you approve or disapprove of the State of Idaho using the record budget surplus to refund $500 million back to hardworking Idaho taxpayers, cut ongoing income taxes by more than $150 million, and put more money in our classrooms by increasing education and student funding by a record $410 million?
This is a nonbinding ballot initiative. The policies described in the initiative were already passed by the Idaho State Legislature and the initiative is meant to gauge support for or against the policy (Corbin).
Massachusetts - Question 1
YES 52% NO 48%
This proposed constitutional amendment would establish an additional 4% state income tax on that portion of annual taxable income in excess of $1 million. This income level would be adjusted annually, by the same method used for federal income-tax brackets, to reflect increases in the cost of living. Revenues from this tax would be used, subject to appropriation by the state Legislature, for public education, public colleges and universities; and for the repair and maintenance of roads, bridges, and public transportation. (Massachusetts Secretary of State)
Dubbed the millionaires tax, the initiative will impose an additional 4% tax on annual taxable income over $1 million. The teachers unions were big proponents of the initiative claiming the additional $1-$2 billion in additional funds will help close the funding gap in underserved communities. Opponents claimed the additional tax will result in an exodus of wealthy individuals and families (Amer).
New Mexico - Amendment 1
FOR 70% AGAINST 30%
…to provide for additional annual distributions of the permanent school fund for enhanced instruction for students at risk of failure, extending the school year, teacher compensation and early childhood education; Requiring congressional approval for distributions for early childhood education.
This ballot initiative will allow New Mexico to pull an additional 1.25% from the Land Grant Permanent Fund for public education. Every year, 5% is withdrawn to support education and hospitals. The additional funds will bolster early childhood education programs in the state (Cohen). While studies have shown to have little impact on the abilities of children in the early years (Russ), there is some evidence to show that early childhood education decreases the chances of being arrested, increases the chances of graduation, and decreases substance abuse in adulthood (NIH).
Rhode Island - Question 2
APPROVE 73% REJECT 27%
To provide funding for the construction, renovation, and rehabilitation of the state’s public schools.
The ballot initiative will issue a $250 million bond in support of the construction and renovation of Rhode Island public schools (Anderson).
West Virginia - Amendment 4
FOR 42% AGAINST 58%
The purpose of this amendment is to clarify that the rules and policies promulgated by the State Board of Education, are subject to legislative review, approval, amendment, or rejection.
This amendment was rejected by voters. If passed it would allow the state legislature to review and approve any rules or policies set by the State Board of Education. Opponents of the bill feared it will lead to greater politicization of education in the state (Donahue).
Works Cited
Amer, Yasmin. “Massachusetts Voters Approve “Millionaires Tax” Ballot Question | WBUR News.” WBUR, WBUR, 9 Nov. 2022, www.wbur.org/news/2022/11/09/massachusetts-election-question-1-tax. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Anderson, Patrick. “RI Voters Approve All Three Ballot Questions.” The Providence Journal, The Providence Journal, 9 Nov. 2022, www.providencejournal.com/story/news/politics/2022/11/09/ri-bond-questions-2022-election-results/69628803007/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
California Secretary of State. “Proposition 28 | Official Voter Information Guide | California Secretary of State.” California Voter Guide, 2022, voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/28/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Center for Disease Control. “School Meals.” CDC, 2022, www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/schoolmeals.htm. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Cohen, Rachel M. “New Mexico Election Results: A New Ballot Measure Win Will Make Pre-K a Universal Right.” Vox, Vox, 18 Oct. 2022, www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2022/10/18/23404090/new-mexico-election-result-child-care-early-childhood-prek. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Colorado Secretary of State. “Amendments and Propositions on the 2022 Ballot.” State.co.us, 2022, www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2022.html. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Corbin, Clark. “Idaho Ballot Features Nonbinding Advisory Question about Tax Cuts, Education - Idaho Capital Sun.” Idaho Capital Sun, 8 Nov. 2022, idahocapitalsun.com/2022/11/08/idaho-ballot-features-nonbinding-advisory-question-about-tax-cuts-education/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Desjardin, Lisa, and Karina Cuevas. “Families Scramble for Aid as Pandemic-Era Free Meal Program for Students Comes to an End.” PBS NewsHour, PBS NewsHour, 12 Sept. 2022, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/families-scramble-for-aid-as-pandemic-era-free-meal-program-for-students-comes-to-an-end. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Donahue, Kimberly. “Breaking down What Amendment 4 Means for West Virginia Voters.” WSAZ, WSAZ, 19 Oct. 2022, www.wsaz.com/2022/10/19/breaking-down-what-amendment-4-means-west-virginia-voters/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Hubler, Shawn. “How Hollywood Got behind California’s Prop. 28.” The New York Times, 2 Nov. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/us/california-prop-28.html. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Kisida, Brian, and Daniel H Bowen. “New Evidence of the Benefits of Arts Education.” Brookings, Brookings, 12 Feb. 2019, www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2019/02/12/new-evidence-of-the-benefits-of-arts-education/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Massachusetts Secretary of State. “Elections: 2022 Information for Voters.” Massachusetts Secretary of State, 2022, www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/ele22/information-for-voters-22/quest_1.htm. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Metzger, Hannah. “Over 100 Colorado Nonprofits Back Prop FF for Free School Meals.” Colorado Politics, 28 Sept. 2022, www.coloradopolitics.com/quick-hits/over-100-colorado-nonprofits-back-prop-ff-for-free-school-meals/article_ebe6d714-3ea5-11ed-998e-ab30b637cab1.html. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
NIH. “Small Investment in Children’s Education Yields Big Results.” NIH, 11 Mar. 2015, www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/releases/031115-podcast-reynolds. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Russ, Grover J. “New Evidence Raises Doubts on Obama’s Preschool for All.” Brookings, Brookings, 20 Nov. 2013, www.brookings.edu/research/new-evidence-raises-doubts-on-obamas-preschool-for-all/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
School Nutrition Association. “School Meal Statistics - School Nutrition Association.” School Nutrition Association, 2020, schoolnutrition.org/about-school-meals/school-meal-statistics/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
Weisman, Jonathan. “Democrats Hold the Senate, as Cortez Masto Ekes out a Victory in Nevada.” The New York Times, 12 Nov. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/11/12/us/elections/senate-control.html?login=email&auth=login-email. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
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