Only 48 days after the budget was due, the Legislature finally took a vote on a 2008-09 budget proposal. Unfortunately, it failed to garner the two-thirds vote required for passage. At press time, the budget stalemate continued, even as frustrations continued to mount.

The failed vote was pretty much a foregone conclusion, as Republicans had already indicated their dislike of the budget proposal. Without a few GOP legislators’ votes, the Dems’ proposal will be doomed.

Both sides apparently remained far apart as EdCal went to press. But budget negotiations have a way of taking place behind closed doors with the respective party leaders and, occasionally, the governor, and can move very rapidly once a basic consensus is reached.

“ACSA and the Education Coalition continue to support the conference committee’s budget proposal as the least destructive financially for public education for 2008-09,” said ACSA Executive Director Bob Wells. “We’re holding news conferences, airing radio spots and advocating in the Capitol for a budget solution that protects our schools and our students and avoids further cuts.”

But how soon a consensus can be reached is the question. So far, Republicans are digging in their heels on nixing any kind of tax increase. The Democrats have proposed a more balanced package of cuts and new revenues, but this was the gist of the proposal that got voted down. Although Republicans have stated their desire to address the state’s $15.2 billion shortfall with cuts only, they have yet to release a list of where they would make such huge cuts in the budget.

Another linchpin for the GOP is the establishment of a spending cap on the state budget. This is one aspect that has been spelled out, as the Assembly Republicans have proposed a cap to limit future state spending.

This proposal would have a direct effect on K-12 education, as it would limit the potential for increasing education funding in years when the state is flush with revenues. The current GOP spending limit proposal would tie limits directly to population growth and inflation. The Education Coalition opposes the spending cap proposal because it would limit the growth in funding currently allowed under Prop. 98.

“We’re disappointed that the back-to-school season is filled with such budget uncertainty, and we’re committed to making our message heard by the governor and lawmakers,” Wells said. “We encourage school leaders to connect with lawmakers and to share local stories about how further cuts will jeopardize programs and services for students.”