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What If By John L. Maltbie What if children really were our future Scott Bushman How many times have we heard it said, “Our children are our future” But in tough times, services for children are the first to be cut. California’s annual budget has become an exercise in alchemy—promising too much and delivering too little. As our economy sank into the worst recession since the Great Depression, taxes were raised and $15 billion in services were cut. Who will bear the brunt of these cuts as they trickle down to local governments Our children. What if politicians acted like they really believed our children were our future The fundamental problem is that children don’t have a seat at the table when budget and funding decisions get made. They can’t vote, and they don’t have PACs. These are hard times, and tough decisions have to be made. But are we making the right decisions Are we making wise strategic choices that lay the groundwork for our future safety and prosperity We are told that education and health care for kids have to take their fair share of cuts because they cost so much. In education, California already ranks near the bottom of states in per-pupil funding and achievement. We know that to be successful in the global economy of the 21st century, we will need a knowledgeable and well-trained work force. The United States continues to have the poorest health care results for children among leading industrial nations. Our state ranks among the worst in childhood obesity. Asthma rates have risen sharply in the past 20 years. Nearly 1 million children have no health coverage. Children who are healthy are more likely to attend school, get more out of their education and become healthy, productive adults. When did our children’s health become a luxury we can no longer afford What if the next time the “Big Five” (the governor, speaker of the Assembly, president pro tem of the Senate and the minority party leaders in both houses) talked about the budget, they included a group of children and explained to them why their services were being cut Or what if, before a legislator could vote on the budget, he or she had to spend a day teaching at an intermediate school, working at a public health clinic or handing out basketballs at an evening recreation program What if children really had “rights” like you and I do Last year, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors took a step toward that future by adopting a Children’s Bill of Rights, developed by the Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council and the San Mateo County Youth Commission. The bill has been endorsed by Silicon Valley Community Foundation and local city councils and school boards. Under this Bill of Rights, children are entitled to “access to a 21st-century education that promotes success in life . . . and . . . a healthy, mind, body and spirit . . . to maximize their potential.” If legislators had to consider these rights when making decisions, California’s budget priorities would almost certainly change. We would truly invest in our future instead of just talking about it. one c To read the Children’s Bill of Rights and learn more, visit www.siliconvalleycf.org/ONE/31f. c John L. Maltbie recently retired as county manager of San Mateo County after nearly 20 years on the job. 16 innovation through philanthropy www.siliconvalleycf.org
Leave Your Legacy Nancy Scammell dreamed of honoring her family’s long history in the Bay Area. Though she passed away in 2007, her dream of providing perpetual support for educational programs has come true. Nancy’s will designated Silicon Valley Community Foundation to receive her estate, including the family home, to create an endowment for education. Now the region’s children will benefit from the generous support of the Scammell family for many generations to come. at Silicon Valley Community Foundation www.giverealestate.org Learn more about how you can leave a legacy for the community. Call 650.450.5444 or email donate@siliconvalleycf.org
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