October 1, 2012

On Sunday, Sept. 30, MPAC and the Islamic Center of Irvine (ICOI) cohosted "Irvine & the State of Education," in an effort to provide voters with the tools to be educated and empowered during this critical election. Along with mobilizing the community, the forum highlighted California State Propositions 30 and 38 and City of Irvine Measure BB, as well as bringing together candidates running for three Irvine School Board positions. 

Shaykh Jamaal Diwan, the Resident Scholar at ICOI, welcomed the more than 50 community members gathered and spoke about the importance of education. Judge Halim Dhanidina, the first Muslim judge in the state of California and a resident of the city of Irvine, spoke next about the importance of public service and the critical need for greater political and civic engagement.

Proponents of California State Proposition 30 and 38 and Irvine City Measure BB spoke about the three different options, opening the floor for questions from the community. 

Proposition 30 addresses income tax increase, raising California’s sales tax to 7.5% from 7.25%, a 3.45% percentage increase over current law. Proposition 38 addresses an education tax initiative, increases personal income tax rates for annual earnings that are more than $7,316 using sliding scale, with the money going strictly toward education. Measure BB, "The Irvine Support Our Schools Initiative of 2012," allocates school funds from the City General Fund, with no new taxes. 

For more information, download MPAC's "2012 California's Propositions Voter Guide," which gives a faith-based perspective on the 11 propositions appearing on the general election ballot on Nov. 6, 2012. 

The forum then shifted to an introduction and discussion with some of the Irvine School Board candidates. MPAC invited all nine candidates, and we were honored to have seven join us that afternoon. Candidates Paul Bokota, a local businessman; Lauren Brooks, an educator and businesswoman; Margaret Brown, a school planning director; Omar Ezzeldine, chair of the city’s Finance Commission and an educator; Carolyn Inmon, a retired teacher; incumbent and board president Michael Parham; and Deputy District Attorney Cyril Yu shared why they are running and their commitment to the City of Irvine and the education of its children. 

"Irvine and the State of Education" is the first of 10 nationwide election events MPAC is hosting as part of its 2012 Election Campaign - “My Faith. My Vote. My Future.” -- with the objective of educating voters about issues impacting them and the tools to host election forums and discussion. 

Use #myfaithmyvote on Twitter to tell us about the issues on your mind and how you are voting. 

With the Nov. 6 national election approaching, MPAC encourages all citizens to register to vote, educate themselves on the issues and vote.