Raise money for schools
Regarding “Oakland school board divided as it approves 400 layoffs with no clear fiscal roadmap” (East Bay, SFChronicle.com, Feb. 25): We live in the richest area, in the richest state, in the richest country in the world. How is it possible that our public schools are constantly on the chopping block?
Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. It seems to me that after President Donald Trump’s already terrible budget cuts, California should be doubling down on its investment in public schools.
The best option to raise the revenue we need is to make corporations pay fair property taxes by reforming Proposition 13. Closing the corporate loophole in Prop 13 would generate from $8 billion to $12 billion every year for California’s public schools and communities.
Property taxes are a stable, equitable source of funding for public services that our schools desperately need.
Our communities, schools and services are suffering while billionaires and corporations rake in more every year. We shouldn’t be afraid to tax them fairly so our students can have the education they deserve.
Letters: If we’re willing to pay billions to maintain highways, why not fund BART?
By Winston Grove | SF Chronicle | March 2nd, 2026