Signup for email updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2006
Contact:
Nathan James, Yes on 82
310-786-7441 - office
206-313-1673 - cell
Leading Seniors Groups Announce Support for Proposition
Congress of California Seniors and Senior Action Network Back June Initiative to Strengthen California’s Education System
LOS ANGELES – Two of California’s leading organizations representing seniors announced their strong support for Proposition 82. The Congress of California Seniors and the Senior Action Network have endorsed the June ballot initiative, adding to a broad-based, bipartisan coalition of children's advocates, business leaders, educators, law enforcement and elected public officials.
“We are proud to join the strong coalition of parents, teachers, and educators supporting Proposition 82,” said Hank Lacayo, President of the Congress of California Seniors. “Our board of directors believes that all children in California should have the right to a quality preschool education. California’s grandparents have a vital interest in Proposition 82 because it is an investment in a better future for our grandchildren.”
Recent research on preschool shows advantages not only for children, but for society as a whole. A 2005 study by the RAND Corporation found that the benefits of a universally available preschool program in California would greatly outweigh the costs. Economists estimated that every dollar invested in quality preschool would generate $2.62 in savings to California’s schools, criminal justice system, and through increased tax revenue to state and local governments.
The announcement by the two groups is the latest a series of endorsements by leading education, labor and business groups. Last week, the California Labor Federation voted to endorse Preschool for All. A full endorsement list is available at: http://www.yeson82.com/supporters.php
The Congress of California Seniors (CCS), established in 1977, is a statewide nonprofit education and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the life of seniors and their families. For more information, visit: http://www.seniors.org
Proposition 82 will provide a high-quality, voluntary preschool education for every four-year old in California. The initiative provides teacher training and raises standards for preschool teachers. It will build on the existing network of preschools, allowing parents to choose the preschool program that is right for their family. For more information about Prop. 82, visit: http://www.YesOn82.com.