How Much More a Year in Taxes Would You Pay So That L.A. Teachers Wouldn’t Have to Take a 12% Pay Cut?

Kelly Cormier

Legal secretary and mother of two children I’d go for a tax increase. The teachers are already suffering as it is, just in terms of basic classroom supplies. Kids need education, and we can’t have teachers leaving or quitting because they don’t get paid enough. Teachers need incentive to stay in school and stay teaching. If we don’t do what it takes for teachers, the kids are out in the cold. I’d be willing to pay about another 4% in taxes. It’s worth it, because we can’t put a price on education.

* * Rita Hernandez

Swim coach, Weingart YMCA in South Los Angeles No, I don’t think the government should take this out on us. It’s not fair that teachers get cuts in pay either, but taxpayers shouldn’t be responsible. We need to really look at where tax money is going, how it’s being distributed. Someone is pocketing the money that’s supposed to be for education. I don’t think teachers should strike, they should stick it out. But it’s really a no-win situation for everyone, especially kids who end up with no teachers at all.

* * David Hanes

Bilingual teacher, Sunrise Elementary in Boyle Heights The tax increase is a good idea, though I’m not sure how much is fair. We definitely need commitment to education. My main concern is more state and federal government support for public education. Money priorities have to be looked at--how much are we spending on prisons and military as opposed to schools? The money should always be available. I hope people wouldn’t be opposed to paying a small extra tax for education. We have to look at the whole picture.

* * Dale Lya Pearson

Community service coordinator for UCLA Extension Education is the most important thing in society, but more taxes isn’t the answer. Taxpayers have been extremely drained over the Reagan-Bush years. Too much money has come out of the pockets of poor people. The money simply isn’t there. We need to figure out other ways to fund education and pay teachers adequately. It’s time to start looking elsewhere, to begin a total revolution in the educational system.