SACRAMENTO, CA - On Monday between 15,000 and 18,000 protesters, according to police estimates, gathered at the state capitol to chant slogans demanding amnesty for illegal immigrants and opposing border enforcement. The proceedings weren't just about immigration, however. Some of those joining and encouraging the protesters provided valuable lessons in government and education.

State Senator Sheila Kuehl, for example, actively encouraged students to skip school for the day, saying that students could do more for society and learn more by taking a day off. As former chair of the senate's education committee, Kuehl should be well acquainted with the miserable state of K-12 education in California. Yet students taking a day off from much needed classroom time would be more valuable? More valuable than working towards a diploma? More valuable than learning the basic reading and math skills needed to get into college or find a job?

Superintendent of Education Jack O'Connell who encouraged students to stay in the classroom on Monday, noted that state aid to public schools is based on attendance and districts will pay a heavy loss for student absences.

"Our students can't afford to miss school," O'Connell told reporters. "Our schools can't afford missing students. And our state can't afford to rest for one day until we close the gap in achievement that threatens the future of many of our immigrant students.''

Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also urged parents to send their children to school. Rightly so, given that the dropout rate in Los Angeles is estimated to be near 30 percent and higher among Hispanic students. A full 27 percent of students in the Los Angeles Unified School District reported absent Monday, according to news reports.

An estimated 3,000 students in the Sacramento Unified School District, joined by many from other districts, participated in the protest at the state capitol. More than one third of the students at some schools opted for the protest rather the classroom. Some workers took the day off to participate, and so did some legislators, but with an important proviso.

State Democratic leaders canceled the Assembly and Senate floor sessions, along with four committee meetings, including the Senate Appropriations Committee, where more than 100 bills were scheduled. They also conveniently designated Monday a "check-in" session, ensuring that they got their per diem payments of $153 for Sunday and Monday. Only seven Democratic legislators requested not to receive per diem payments for Monday. The rest got paid while neglecting taxpayers' business. This behavior is consistent with the legislature's fiscally irresponsible ways and its fondness for policies at odds with the state's best interest.

The organizers of the May 1 protests dubbed their show "A Day Without an Immigrant.'' On the other hand, "A Day Without a Legislator'' may not be so bad. Consider some of the disastrous ideas the legislature has come up with lately.

For example, the $50-billion bond package requiring school textbooks to highlight the sexual orientation of historical figures. Consider also the lowering of graduation requirements, deficit spending, and the push for tax increases. Senator Kuehl, the former television actress who urged students to skip school, is pushing a plan for government monopoly health care (SB 840, the California Health Insurance Reliability Act) that would spell disaster for the Golden State.

Perhaps the best Californians can hope for is a permanent legislative strike. Under those conditions, Californians could see the state's economy boom, student test scores rise, crime drop, global warming reverse, and who knows what else. But let's make sure legislators aren't collecting taxpayer dollars while failing to conduct the taxpayers' business.

Xiaochin Claire Yan is a Public Policy Fellow in Education Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. She can be reached via email at xyan@pacificresearch.org.