On the Issues

Education

Education is the key to a secure future.
As the son of immigrants and the first in my family to go to college, I know the true spirit of California opportunity and optimism is nurtured in great schools, not failed prisons.


AB 656: Fair Share for Fair Tuition
My bill, AB 656, will raise $2 billion a year for higher education in California by charging Big Oil a 12.5% extraction fee. California is the only major oil-producing state that does not charge an extraction fee. Texas raises $400 million a year and Alaska has a 25% oil extraction fee.

It’s estimated that 250,000 students will be denied higher education by 2011 due to budget cuts. We cannot risk leaving an entire generation behind. For every dollar invested in higher education, the state nets a $3 return. The message is clear: it’s time to make education a priority again in California.

 

Universal Preschool
Education creates strong communities. That’s why I’m working to expand preschool in every neighborhood so kids start school ready to learn. By enrolling children in preschool, we can bridge the learning gap for at-risk children and increase the chance of students graduating high school and college.

And for every dollar invested, high-quality preschool provides a $7 to $16 return on investment. We need to invest in California’s future by preparing our kids for their future.

 

Prison Reform

For the first time in our state’s history, the government spent more money on prisons than higher education. We need to reform prisons and recognize that education is the key to our future and public safety.

Education is the best way to shut the revolving door of our prison system – where 70 percent of released inmates return after three years. I’m fighting to reform California prisons by requiring inmates to rehabilitate themselves through work, study or treatment before they are released. With 60 percent of prisoners functionally illiterate, education is the best strategy to prevent crime and rehabilitate criminals.

 

Please contact the campaign with comments on the importance of education and prison reform by emailing Feedback@AlbertoTorrico.com or by clicking here.