Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1259894
Reopening Schools Safely Requires Funding Cuts, deferrals proposed as legislators negotiate state budget I N E A R L Y J U N E , the California A s s e m b l y a n d S e n a t e c a m e t o an agreement on a 2020-21 state budget, one that rescinds cuts to education fundin g prop o sed by G o v. Gav in Ne w s om in hi s May budget revision. According to the chairs of the budget committees, the legislators' budget assumes the "strong likeli- hood" that the $3 trillion HEROES (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions) Act will be passed by the U.S. Senate. The act, which the U.S. House passed in May, is in response to the COVID-19 pandem- ic's shattering economic impact. Federal aid from the bill would deliver $14 billion to California. Newsom's May Revision does not count on passage of the HEROES Act, and instead proposes tentative cuts to education funding as part of his effort to address a $54 billion revenue gap. e more than $10 billion cut to public education would lead to layoffs and even larger class sizes. In addition, Newsom's proposal does not allow schools to open safely, which is CTA's top priority when reopening schools and colleges. State lawmakers rescinded Newsom's cuts to K-12 and higher education, mostly through deferrals, where school districts would borrow to cover their expenses and the state would repay later. While deferrals allevi- ate immediate fiscal distress, they would have an impact on future budgeting, especially as California recovers from the pandemic. C TA P re s i d e n t E . To b y B o y d a c k n o w l e d g e d t h e l a w m a k e r s' efforts to avoid education cutbacks that would irreparably hurt stu- dents and educators. In a statement by the Education Coalition, of which CTA is a member, Boyd said, "We recognize the efforts of the Senate and Assembly in agreeing to a budget proposal that prevents immediate educator layoffs, as well as their com- mitment to prioritizing our schools and colleges and preserving programs for the most vulnerable." e State Legislature is expected to approve its revised budget and send it to Newsom by June 15. e 2020-21 budget must be passed by June 30, with lawmakers returning in late summer to address revised state revenue projections — and to determine what to do if federal funding does not come through. Turn the page to find out how you can help protect educa- tion funding. For the latest news on the state budget, go to cta.org/our-advocacy/state-budget. View and share the TV ad created by CTA and the Education Coalition, at youtube.com/ CaliforniaTeachers. "We recognize Senate and Assembly efforts in agreeing to a budget proposal that prevents immediate educator layoffs, as well as their commitment to prioritizing schools and colleges and preserving programs for the most vulnerable." —CTA President E. Toby Boyd 41 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 0 Advocacy