After weeks of indicating that education was going to have a fairly stable budget this year, the buzz in the Capitol at press time was that some legislators wanted to cut $400 million out of the education budget.
The education community sprang into action, with educators calling their local representatives to ask them to protect Proposition 98 funding.
Earlier this year the indications were for an on-time budget, what with legislators wanting to impress voters with their “can-do” abilities as they ask voters for a change in the term limits law next election. But an unexpected drop in revenues late in the game as the budget was reaching its final negotiation stages has now led to several weeks of stalemate.
The state budget currently has a structural shortfall of more than $3 billion. Legislative Republicans have been demanding the amount be greatly reduced or eliminated before they will approve the budget. However, until recently, no concrete proposals had been advanced.
The education community was briefed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez and Senate President pro Tem Don Perata, who informed them some legislators were quietly proposing to cut education funding by $400 million. The K-12 cuts would come in the areas of COLA and growth.
ACSA Executive Director Bob Wells indicated how a cut of this size could adversely impact schools.
“Many schools and districts are preparing to begin the new school year next month,” Wells said. “Any cuts could jeopardize class size reduction programs, student-to-teacher ratios, libraries, counselors and other important programs and services. ACSA urges the governor and lawmakers to uphold their commitment to protect the integrity of Proposition 98, and to provide full COLA and ADA growth for all K-12 programs in the state budget.”
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office was reportedly opposed to this new proposed education cut, but he has been largely absent from budget negotiations thus far. And although Democrats are indicating they will stand firm in the face of this new demand, anything might happen, given the upcoming term limits measure and the fact that once the stalemate goes beyond July 20 it starts cutting into legislators’ summer breaks.
The proposed budget cut flies in the face of logic, given the recent release of SRI’s “Getting Down to Facts,” a group of in-depth studies on school finance and governance, which clearly indicated that California schools are lagging in state funding compared to other states. A general indication from the reports was that for schools to meet the standards the state has set it would require 40 percent more funding.
ACSA members are encouraged to contact their local legislators. Contact information may be found at www.leginfo.ca.gov.
Please check ACSA Online for updates on the budget situation as it unfolds.