2012 started out as one of the most challenging years ever for California’s public employees. At the end of the year, and the close of the 2012 election cycle, public service professionals and supporters of quality public services have much to celebrate.
The most significant victory was the defeat in California of the national-big-business effort to eliminate unions from participating in political campaigns. Proposition 32 was resoundingly rejected by the state’s voters because it was unfair, because it would have left the corporate interests as the only political force in California, and because working men and women deserve a voice at the local level, in Sacramento and Washington, DC. CAPE staff and member-volunteers gathered nearly 750 No on Prop 32 Pledge Cards, dedicated eight nights at the association’s phone banks, and walked nearly forty precinct walk shifts to educate L.A. County voters. CAPE’s volunteer effort to educate voters was hailed by labor leaders as a prime example of what local organizations can contribute to a statewide success.
Proposition 30, the Governor’s tax increase measure, was given little or no chance of passage early in the campaign season. The measure was carefully crafted to address the systemic problems with the state’s tax structure. With strong leadership from the Governor, and editorial support from an overwhelming majority of local newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, Proposition 30 narrowly won a majority on the November ballot. Passage of Prop 30 provides vitally needed resources to restore state spending to schools and government services. Had the measure failed, projected budget deficits at the state level would have impacted the County’s budget and services formany years ahead.
And finally, the region’s economy continues to show signs of slow recovery. The housing market continues to recover, which will further stabilize property tax revenues. Likewise, sales tax revenues continue to show significant year-to-year increases as a sign of restoration of consumer confidence. The recent debate over the “fiscal cliff” caused temporary volatility, but most expect continued recovery this year.
For several years leading up to the challenges of 2012, many of the state’s elected officials and political pundits tried to advance their causes by vilifying public employees. At the end of the year, the news is—they failed.
In California, and especially in Los Angeles County, there is no prize for those who disparage public employees and government services. California voters understand that smart and efficient government services stem from responsible, accountable government leaders. And those who portray the state’s public employees as a ‘cost’ and not an asset are where they belong, in the minority.
2012 ended on a winning note for good government. Let’s all hope that our elected officials in Sacramento and Washington DC got the message—the qualities that support good government—leadership and accountability —are vitally important for California’s future.