Delegates decline position on Preschool for All 

Following extended discussion on the merits of Proposition 82, the Preschool for All Act that is on this month’s statewide primary election ballot, CSBA’s Delegate Assembly voted to take no position on the proposed constitutional amendment intended to ensure that free preschool classes would be available to every family that wants them.

Much of the dialogue expanded on points made by two advocates speaking prior to the Delegates’ own debate. While universal access to preschool is desirable, the funding source—a special tax on the highest-income earners—is volatile and could actually erode funding for K-12 schools and the state’s other services as affluent taxpayers move to shelter their income or simply move out of state, warned Bill Hauck, President of the California Business Roundtable.

But existing quality preschool programs can be expensive and hard to find, and most programs have long waiting lists, countered Susanna Cooper, Director of Communications for Preschool California. Proposition 82 would give 4-year-olds throughout the state access to qualified teachers who can help prepare youngsters for the academic and social environment they will face in school.

Delegates considered a vote to endorse the measure but voted instead to take no position.