PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

October 4, 2006

STUDENTS ORGANIZE STATE PROPOSITIONS ELECTION DEBATES

On October 18, students at Foothill College will buck the trends that show 18 – 24 year olds as the most politically apathetic age group. The Honors Institute Public Sociologies Class is conducting back-to-back, public debates on three controversial state propositions. Speakers from six different campaigns will converge on the campus from noon to 2:45 at Appreciation Hall to persuade the audience that their cause is right. Up first is Prop 87, that proposes a four billion dollar tax on oil companies for the development of alternative energies. Next is Prop 86 that would place a hefty tax on cigarettes to benefit health and prevention programs. Last is Prop 85 that would require parental notification or an appearance before a judge for any minor seeking an abortion.

A recent report from the Public Policy Institute of California found that less than a quarter of 18 – 24 year olds in California are likely voters compared to 43% of middle-aged persons and 76% of those over age 65. Says Dr. Patricia Gibbs, the class professor, "A broad goal of what we do as educators is to help students connect with their communities, to enable them to be actively involved in participatory democracy and become a real part of a diverse, educated, and engaged citizenry. In light of statistics on youth voting, this project moves us toward this goal of connecting youth to their communities and the political process in a substantial way."

The class is studying the issues and moderating the 45-minute debates. They are collaborating with the League of Women Voters, the Midpeninsula Community Media Center and have received funding support from the Peninsula Community Foundation, the Hewlett Packard Company, and Premier Properties in Palo Alto. The debates will be televised on local cable channels and will be available online at the League of Women Voters’ web site, <www.SmartVoter.org>.