2008 Woodie Awards
"Schwarzenegger's Reform Agenda"
Part two in a two-part series outlining the ballot propositions.
Brian Dean
Issue date: 10/26/05 Section: News
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Gov. Schwarzenegger's push to reform the political climate in the state of California consists of a four-pronged attack: Propositions 74, 75, 76 and 77, which he urges voters to approve. The sweeping agenda would make it more difficult for unions to raise money for political advocacy, strip the Legislature of the power to draw congressional and legislative districts, extend the probationary period for new teachers, and place new restraints on state spending.
Backed by business leaders and the California Republican Party, Schwarzenegger says his plan is the much-needed fix to the state's broken political system; Numerous chambers of commerce, the California Bankers Association, 32 state assemblymen, and many more groups and individuals support the governor's plan.
Meanwhile, all four propositions are fiercely opposed by the Alliance for a Better California, a coalition of public employees, most notably teachers, firefighters and nurses. These include the Service Employees International Union, the California Teachers Association, and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, among many others. Boasting nearly 2.5 million members, the Alliance calls the governor's plan the "special interest agenda," and has opposed the special election as wasteful.
Proposition 74 would change the probationary period for new K-12 teachers from two years to five. This waiting period before becoming permanent employees is also two years in eight other states, one year in three other states, and four years in another three states. Only Indiana and Missouri have them for five years, and the majority of states have them for three years.
The new law would also allow school districts to terminate permanent teachers who receive two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations. Currently, districts must specify the reasons for firing a teacher, give 30 days notice of its intent to dismiss, and provide a 90-day period to allow for improvement if the reason for termination is performance. Proposition 74 keeps the 30-day notice, but replaces the requisite documentation with the evaluation results, and eliminates the 90-day chance for improvement.
Backed by business leaders and the California Republican Party, Schwarzenegger says his plan is the much-needed fix to the state's broken political system; Numerous chambers of commerce, the California Bankers Association, 32 state assemblymen, and many more groups and individuals support the governor's plan.
Meanwhile, all four propositions are fiercely opposed by the Alliance for a Better California, a coalition of public employees, most notably teachers, firefighters and nurses. These include the Service Employees International Union, the California Teachers Association, and the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, among many others. Boasting nearly 2.5 million members, the Alliance calls the governor's plan the "special interest agenda," and has opposed the special election as wasteful.
Proposition 74 would change the probationary period for new K-12 teachers from two years to five. This waiting period before becoming permanent employees is also two years in eight other states, one year in three other states, and four years in another three states. Only Indiana and Missouri have them for five years, and the majority of states have them for three years.
The new law would also allow school districts to terminate permanent teachers who receive two consecutive unsatisfactory evaluations. Currently, districts must specify the reasons for firing a teacher, give 30 days notice of its intent to dismiss, and provide a 90-day period to allow for improvement if the reason for termination is performance. Proposition 74 keeps the 30-day notice, but replaces the requisite documentation with the evaluation results, and eliminates the 90-day chance for improvement.
