They may have gotten out of town for a little while, but it appears they might be called back again.

“They” is the California Legislature, and talks are reportedly taking place as EdCal went to press that there will be a call for a special session to fix the budget mess they left mere weeks ago.

There’s little question that the budget situation is wobbly at best, both nationally and in California. Congress finally passed a financial rescue plan for some of the most struggling banks, but suffice it to say the situation is less than ideal.

Federal struggles naturally reverberate at the state level. Certainly they do in a state like California, which recently passed a state budget that opted to allow legislators to get out of town without addressing the long-term needs of the state.

The bad budget picture has led to already dropping revenue figures, so the governor and legislative leadership were reportedly discussing the possibility of a special session. Although more budget cuts in the short-term are certainly on the table, what is really needed is a viable answer to the state’s chronic long-term needs.

Those long-term needs most definitely include finding a new and stable revenue source, so the state’s budget doesn’t fluctuate so wildly in good and bad times. This was the resounding note sounded by the Education Coalition and others during the recent state budget stalemate; but unfortunately, one which legislators lacked the political courage to address.

ACSA and the Education Coalition will continue to sound the call for a new and stable revenue source for schools, and ACSA will be closely monitoring the situation and will keep members apprised as developments occur.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell applauded the Congressional passage and presidential approval of the federal financial rescue bill, but warned that the national credit crunch could still impact the state’s ability to pay teachers and fund schools. 

“I am very pleased that the House passed the bailout bill and hope this brings some stabilization to our nation’s financial markets,” O’Connell said. “I also hope the federal action helps thaw the national credit freeze so California can obtain the routine short-term financing our state needs to help fund schools, teacher salaries, and other state employees and services.”

O’Connell noted that the ongoing budget crisis in California has meant that schools have had to operate with uncertainty for months. Many have had to borrow or make substantial cuts in order to make it through this year’s record budget delay.

“The next apportionment payment to schools of $2.3 billion is due at the end of October,” O’Connell said. “Schools are also owed payments of around $2.8 billion for certain categorical programs, including those that were not funded from July through September due to the late state budget. My department will do everything it can to ensure that money to schools is allocated on time and in full.

“However, the national financial crisis and our ongoing state budget dysfunction underscore the dire need for our state policy leaders to work now toward a responsible budget solution that protects California’s priorities for fiscal year 2009-10.”