Beverly Hills News
50th Assembly Candidate Forum Takes Place
By Jennifer Alcaraz
Nov 1, 2012 - 7:19:25 PM

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, October 25 the students of Santa Monica-Pacific Palisades high schools hosted the 50th Assembly District candidate forum along with a Proposition 30 and Proposition 38 forum. The debate was held inside the MLK Jr. Auditorium at the  Santa Monica Public Library.  The MLK Jr. League of Women Voters of Santa Monica were in charge of discussing both Proposition 30 and 38. The purpose of the conference was to obtain a point of view from Betsy Butler and Richard Bloom on both propositions.

Eloy Oakley was in charge of representing Proposition 30. The website describes the proposition. If approved, there will be an increase on personal income taxes on annual earning over $250,000 for seven years and sale tax increases for ¼ of a percent for four years going toward education. There would be revenues available for funding state budgets. Eloy presented his argument on proposition 30 by saying that if the proposition fails, there would be revenue of $6 billion which would be lost to K-12 and community colleges.

In contrast to Oakly, Sandy Escobedo represented Proposition 38 at the conference. Proposition 38 as explained by The Official Voter Guide website would increase personal income tax rates under a sliding scale for a period of twelve years. The revenues would go to schools from early childhood programs to high schools as well as state debt. There would also be an increase in state tax revenues for a period of 12 years, approximately $10 billion annually.

Escobedo not only expressed gratitude for the education she received while residing in the city of Bell (which is currently struggling in the educational system), but also recognized the challenge education is facing in current times. She proceeded to explain how the proposition would be implemented, preventing cuts.

Betsy Butler and Richard Bloom took on the role of explaining their ideas to the 50th Assembly District. Bloom stated, during his service in city council, he wanted to place education as a top priority. During his term, he was able to increase funding from $3.5 million to $14.5 million per annum. Betsy also wants to invest in education, addressing robotics and the role of women. She also addressed how each generation had its own civil rights’ movement and in the present, education is California's top priority, but, because of the balanced budget, in the economy there are no sufficient funds available.

The 50th Assembly will be representing Agoura Hills, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Westlake Village, Beverly Hills, Malibu and West Hollywood.