STATE NEWS
From the Capitol
Proposed state budget protects public education from cuts despite revenue shortfalls
By Cassie Mancini
Photo by Joseph Gallagher
The State Legislature reconvened in Sacramento this month and Governor Gavin Newsom presented to the Legislature his initial state budget proposal. Newsom’s budget continues to fund TK-12 and community colleges near the historic levels achieved since the pandemic despite projected budget deficits exceeding $37 billion. Although this year’s projected decrease in state revenues equates to a decrease in Proposition (Prop) 98 funding, due to statewide declining enrollment, TK-12 per pupil funding will remain just shy of last year’s historic high. The Governor projects Prop 98 funding of $109.1 billion for our public schools during 2024-25 and $17,653 per pupil—notably, only $8 less per pupil than last year. Also included in the Governor’s budget is a 0.76% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for the Local Control Funding Formula, the Student Centered Funding Formula, and some categorical programs like home-to-school transportation, special education, and child nutrition. Additionally, on the community college front, Newsom’s proposal allocates $29.6 million to support 0.5% student enrollment growth.
"Governor Newsom’s budget proposal prioritizes California’s students and the public employees who help them learn."
- Adam Weinberger, Association President
Despite this year’s budget outlook, Prop 98 funding has increased by more than 35% since 2019-20 (an increase of nearly $25 billion). Since 2011-12, total Prop 98 funding has more than doubled, and per-student funding has increased by nearly 49% since 2019-20. With increases to education funding since 2011 significantly outpacing inflation, we can be grateful that the Governor continues to recognize the need to protect our schools from harmful cuts like those we experienced during the Great Recession. This budget proposal is one that maintains long-term commitments to programs championed by CSEA like universal transitional kindergarten, universal free school meals, and community schools. It doesn’t enact any major new programs, but it does protect what we’ve fought so hard to create and implement. "Governor Newsom’s budget proposal prioritizes California’s students and the public employees who help them learn. I’m grateful that the Governor has learned from past economic downturns and refuses to put our public education system on the chopping block,” said Association President Adam Weinberger. "We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to craft a final budget that reflects California’s commitment to creating a stable and strong public education system that supports the needs of the whole student,” continued Weinberger.
Cassie Mancini is a Legislative Advocate in CSEA’s Governmental Relations Department.
