California's Educator Unions Unite Behind Yes on Prop 3

CTA, CFT, and CSEA endorse the California Children's Education and Health Care Protection Act to protect nearly $10 billion a year for schools and health care

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Yes on Prop 3 campaign today announced the endorsements of the California Teachers Association (CTA), and CFT, A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals, and the California School Employees Association (CSEA) — the organizations representing the educators and classified professionals who teach, feed, transport, and support California's students every day.

Proposition 3, the California Children's Education and Health Care Protection Act of 2026, appears on the November 3 statewide ballot. It maintains the income tax rates that the wealthiest 2% of Californians have paid for nearly 15 years, rates that would otherwise expire in 2031. Prop 3 protects nearly $10 billion, on average, annually for K–12 schools, community colleges, and health care, with strict accountability and audit requirements to ensure funding reaches classrooms – all without raising taxes.

If the current rates expire, California's public schools face a devastating 15% budget cut, and one in six educators would face layoffs. 

“For almost 15 years, the wealthiest 2% have paid a slightly higher tax rate so our students can have counselors, smaller classes, and school meals. Let that expire and the wealthiest would get a tax break while 1-in-6 educators would lose their jobs, harming our communities and leading to even larger class sizes. Our students should not be the ones paying for the wealthy to get a tax cut,” said David Goldberg, President, California Teachers Association.

“This funding reaches every level of public education in California, from kindergarten through our community colleges,” said Jeff Freitas, President of CFT, A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals. “Our students, educators and classified staff cannot keep planning around a funding cliff every few years. Prop 3 keeps existing rates in place and finally settles it.”

“Our members drive the buses, serve the meals, run the front office, clean the campuses, and support students in classrooms every day. This existing tax pays for that essential work. Without making it permanent, the first cuts land on the people and programs our students count on most. We are focused on what matters: keeping our schools staffed and our students supported,” said Adam Weinberger, President, California School Employees Association.

Since 2012, these voter-approved rates have generated roughly $120 billion for schools and other services. Under the state's funding formula for the measure, approximately 89% of revenue supports K–12 education and 11% supports community colleges.

Learn more at: YesProp3CA.com.

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