Prop. 30 backers to go knock-knocking

Dozens of volunteers are expected to knock on doors Saturday throughout Modesto and Ceres asking voters to support Proposition 30, Gov. Jerry Brown's tax initiative to increase education funding and block spending cuts.

The local effort was organized by Congregations Building Community, an outreach group that works with families in the Modesto area.

Organizers say 45 to 70 community volunteers, including clergy and college students, will canvass neighborhoods. Some of the same volunteers have been making phone calls and walking precincts since August to persuade at least 5,000 local voters to support the proposition.

If the tax initiative fails, the organizers say $13 million in spending cuts to Modesto schools will go into effect Jan. 1.