In the very same week when two members of the Board of Education of the Los Alamitos Unified School District publicly expressed "anger" at the budget related failures of our elected officials in Sacramento, a recall movement against our Assemblyman was launched. The public outcry was palpable as the District approved the layoff of 90 Certificated staffers, all but a few being classroom teachers, and eliminated the funding for extracurricular activities for the marching band and other performing arts programs. But, this is not why our Assemblyman is being recalled.

West Orange County Republican Assemblyman, Jim Silva, is targeted for a recall, but not because he supports cuts to school funds. According to a web site, Silva is being recalled because he "broke his promise to protect taxpayers and must be held accountable. Silva not only promised to protect taxpayers, he signed a pledge to do so . He broke that pledge and betrayed taxpayers." (Taxpayers United to Recall Jim Silva FPPC ID pending, http://www.recalljimsilva.com) Silva is the Assemblyman for all of the areas in the Los Alamitos Unified School District.

In an interview on March 11, Silva disputed the claims that he supported the tax increases and stated that he voted against the tax increases and is opposed to Measure 1a. This May 17 ballot measure is part of the plan to balance the budget and if it fails, there will be even more budget cuts. Silva said "I will work, definitely, against 1a."

When asked about the school budget cuts, Silva said "I think it's terrible. We have right now 9.5 percent unemployment. So, all agencies, are taking some cuts...I'm not about to destroy an entire state and raise taxes. If we raise taxes, we're going to destroy an economy. People are furious with tax increases."