By Wendolyn Leal

Staff Writer

One of the most important measures for students on the Nov. 6 ballot is Proposition 30, Governor Brown’s proposal to raise revenue for our K-12 and higher education system. If the proposal does not pass, starting Nov. 7, the affects will immediately impact our teachers, administration at state colleges, and extensively cut the student budget by $6 billion per year.

Those that oppose Proposition 30 are not entirely wrong about their argument. It is no doubt thatCalifornia’s taxes are high, but the revenue from this plan represents just over half of what was lost when three other taxes expired in 2010 and 2011. The overall tax care will still be lower than where it stood two years ago.

According to the department of finance, general fund spending will be $11.6 billion lower than the amount five years ago and will amount to the same share of the economy as in 1972-73. This is not profligate spending. Students can remember that in less than eight years, tuition has risen 150 percent, from $2,334 per year in 2004 to just under $6,000 this fall. These figures will continue to rise if Prop 30 does not pass.

As a student, a voice is given a chance to speak on Nov. 6. Whether they oppose or support Prop 30, students should take the initiative to put their stand in the polls.

“It’s really important to keep the effort in promoting Prop 30 because this legislation will affect students directly. [Prop 30] can determine whether a student can afford a higher education,” third year psychology major, Linda Carter said.