Middle Class Bill of Rights

Even though we are paying out fair share in taxes, working families are getting less in return and bearing the brunt of the state’s drastic budget cuts. Our schools, colleges, and universities are dramatically underfunded, while our safety and quality of life have been compromised by cutbacks to police and firefighters, and other vital services. Our health, environment and economic security are at risk as the state continues to slash basic necessary services to our communities.

At the same time, many wealthy corporations are getting a free ride, bleeding the state of billions of dollars in corporate tax giveaways and blocking the collection of new sources of revenue, such as oil and tobacco taxes.

California was once the envy of the country. But years of failed leadership, drastic cuts and lack of vision threaten to shred the very fabric of our state. It’s time for our government to prioritize rebuilding the middle class through good jobs, quality education, a clean environment and safe and secure communities. The state must commit to raising the necessary revenue and prioritizing spending to meet the basic needs of California families.

The Middle Class Bill of Rights clearly defines our demands as the people of this state to protect and promote responsible stewardship of our public dollars so that we can return California to a first-class place to live, work and raise a family.

AS THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA, THESE ARE OUR DEMANDS:

The right to a good job that includes a living wage and adequate benefits;
The right to quality, affordable health care for all regardless of socioeconomic status;
The right to quality K-12 education to provide our state’s children with necessary skills and knowledge to pursue the well-paying jobs of the 21st Century;
The right of a world-class public university system to train and develop our state’s young adults and foster the innovation to attract businesses from around the country and globe;
The right to safe and secure communities through fully funded police and fire departments and other first responders;
The right to clean air, water and preservation of our natural resources, wildlife and treasured state parks;
The right of a well-maintained infrastructure through investment in safe roads, bridges, public transit and sewage and water supply;
The right to a just system of taxation that ensures wealthy corporations are paying their fair share for the services necessary to run our state;
The right to a strong safety net that provides the basic essentials for our state’s most vulnerable citizens;
The right of security in home ownership and protection against predatory lending practices to safeguard families from foreclosure;
The right to a secure retirement to protect our state’s seniors from poverty and homelessness in old age;
The right of health and safety protections on the job;
The right to join a union and bargain collectively for better wages without fear of employer harassment and intimidation or job loss.

California’s future depends on these rights being respected and protected. The aforementioned rights equal a more economically secure and healthier state for all our citizens.

California families expect the state to provide the necessary resources to ensure
these basic rights are met. We call on all of our state’s leaders to adopt these
values and principles as a positive step in rebuilding our once great state.

Dowload the printable version.

Elected Officials: Sign the pledge card to support the Middle Class Bill of Rights.

For more information, contact Sara Flocks, policy coordinator, (510) 663-4033.