More on Prop. 82

Anthony York, at Capitol Weekly, has a story about Rob Reiner's Proposition 82 and how it empowers the superintendent of schools. Under the plan, the state superintendent would be responsible for setting the money counties will receive per eligible pupil. Individual counties can choose to divide their money how they see fit--directing more money to special needs children or English learners, for example. But those county plans must be okayed by the superintendent. It continues: "There are definitely new responsibilities," said state superintendent Jack O'Connell. "It's an expansion of responsibility. But we are currently engaged in oversight for state preschool, and we get very high marks for our work. We're prepared." The department currently oversees about $200 million in state preschool programs. The Department of Social Services also runs some state-sponsored programs for pre-kindergarten students. Prop. 82 would be a dramatic boost in the superintendent's budget. If passed, the initiative is expected to raise about $2.7 billion annually for preschool. In addition to determining the per-pupil spending level for every eligible preschool student, the superintendent would have unlimited power to use money for "outreach," to raise awareness about new preschool programs. But critics of the initiative and of Reiner say that is a recipe for misuse of public funds, allowing the state superintendent to promote themselves using state money. But some critics are pointing out that is the same formula used in Reiner-backed Prop. 10 that has come under scrutiny: "Is there a risk that the superintendent would use these funds for promotion? You better believe it," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a member of the No on 82 campaign committee. "The question is, is that an appropriate use of taxpayer money?"