Porter Ranch, CA – Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) has received a lot of attention for her failure to vote against a bill to deport convicted child rapists and predators that are in this country illegally (California State Assembly Record, 5/21/24). However, when she does get around to doing her job, she voted to suspend Proposition 98 Education Funding as part of the latest Sacramento back room budget deal.

In 1998, California voters passed Proposition 98 to guarantee minimum levels of funding for California K-14 public schools. While politicians like Schiavo argue that budget cuts are necessary when facing a budget deficit, California statutes do not require suspension of Proposition 98.

“Schiavo doesn’t see deportation of convicted child predators that are in this country illegally as important enough to vote on, but she has no problem suspending Proposition 98 education funding,” noted Patrick Lee Gipson, recently retired Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff and candidate for the 40th Assembly District.

Gipson continued, “Unlike Pilar Schiavo, I grew up in our local community. Even though there were times as a child when I was homeless, I could always depend on my school — it was always “open.” As a Deputy Sheriff, I saw every day the damage done by sexual abuse; as a survivor myself, I am firmly committed to cracking down on child predators. Her votes do not represent the values or priorities of the people of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys.”