Burbank Unified to benefit from Prop. 55

The state’s wealthiest earners will be taxed at a higher rate for 12 more years following voters’ approval Tuesday night of Proposition 55, bringing relief to educators who urged local residents to approve the measure.

Proposition 55 was supported by both school board members and teachers, including Diana Abasta, president of the Burbank Teachers Union.

Through 2030, individuals who earn $263,000 or couples who earn at least $526,000 will pay a 10.3% tax on their income, generating several billion dollars annually for schools, with 11% of tax revenue going to community colleges.

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Educators backed Proposition 55 for its potential to give school districts and colleges continued stability to maintain and restore academic programs that were eliminated or reduced during several years of budget cuts, which came to an end with voters’ passage of Proposition 30, which originally implemented the tax on residents with higher incomes, in 2012.

Some critics of the proposition spoke out against the state relying on its wealthiest earners to pay for education, and for extending a proposition — Proposition 30 — that was initially touted as temporary fix, slated to sunset in 2017.

But California voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 55 with more than 66% approval.

“Once again, the voters showed their commitment to the future of our students and to the investment in public education,” Abasta said in an email.

“The passing of Proposition 55 means 12 years of stable funding for our schools and colleges. It means smaller classes, the hiring of additional teachers and restoring art and music in the curriculum. For community colleges, it means stable tuition rates and the availability of more classes,” she said.

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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan