Nanette Asimov

In spring 2003, when Delaine Eastin was running California’s public schools, she faced a group of lawmakers trying to close a huge budget shortfall. Eastin had answers. It was her last day in office, but she served them up with the fire of someone who had just stepped into the job. “You’d send a bunch of kids into battle, but you don’t have the courage to raise taxes? If you don’t have the courage, then put it on the ballot. We’ll pass it!” Eastin told the politicians as parents and teachers bur…