Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
G O V E R N O R N E W S O M ' S proposed budget provides increases in education funding due to a better-than-expected economic outlook, with Proposition 98 guaranteed education funding projected at $125.5 billion — though it withholds $5.6 billion in Prop. 98 funds in what a m o u n t s t o a d a n ge ro u s sh e l l ga m e for funding for our public schools. This means that while there is more money for education in the proposed budget this year, our schools may not get all the funds we are owed. The budget proposes a 2.41% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the Local Control Funding Formula for school dis- tricts, county offices of education and charter schools in 2026–27. Similarly, a 2.41% COLA is proposed for California community colleges. The proposal includes $1 billion in ongoing Prop. 98 funding to expand com- munity schools across the state, as well as an additional $2.8 billion in one-time funding to help fund statewide priorities, like educator recruitment and the Liter- acy Roadmap, and address rising costs. Regarding the $5.6 billion in withheld funds, our union has successfully fought to defend Prop. 98 funds in the past and will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that public education receives every dollar guaranteed by law. " We cal l on th e governor to st and with educators and communities and protect funding promised by Prop. 98," CTA President David Goldberg said. "It's time for lawmakers to stop protecting corporations and the wealthy and do the necessar y work of raising the revenue needed to fully fund schools, health care and all public services." C a l i f o r n i a v o t e r s p a s s e d P r o p . 9 8 n e a rly f o u r d e c a d e s a g o t o e n sh r i n e funding for public education into our c on stitution an d en sure our sch o o l s w o u l d h a v e a g u a r a n t e e d l e v e l o f r e s o u r c e s . T h e g o v e r n o r 's b u d g e t pro p o s a l v i o l a t e s th i s pro m i s e o n c e again — last year, $1.9 billion in Prop. 9 8 f u n d s w e r e w i t h h e l d , b a l a n c i n g t h e s t a t e's b u d g e t o n t h e b a c k s o f Cali for ni a stu d ent s. Th e $1.9 bi l lion is budgeted to finally be dispersed to districts this year. It is separate from th e $5.6 bi l lion prop o sed to b e w ith- held this year. Stay up to date on the state budget as legislators and the governor negotiate a path forward over the coming months at cta.org/budget. Gov. Newsom will release an updated budget by May 14. e California Legislature must pass the budget bill by June 15. "While this proposal is merely the first step in the budget process, we know that Community College Budget Proposal Highlights Student-Centered Funding Formula (SCFF): 2.41% COLA for the SCFF. Enrollment Growth: $31.9 million ongoing Prop. 98 funding to support a 0.5% enrollment growth, and an additional $55.3 million ongoing Prop. 98 funding to further support a 1% enrollment growth in 2025–26. Categorical Programs: $30.6 million ongoing Prop. 98 funding to support a 2.41% COLA for select categorical programs. Payment Deferral: Fully repays deferrals for the SCFF in 2026–27. Student Support Block Grant: Provides $100 million one-time augmentation for the Student Support Block Grant. State Budget: Education Funding Increase, Threats to Prop. 98 Integrity Historic funding paves way for locals' success at the bargaining table By Julian Peeples school districts often weaponize these announcements to issue unnecessar y layoff notices, justify cutting programs and the closure of beloved neighborhood s c h o o l s a n d re f u s e t o m a k e i nv e s t - ments to recruit and retain educators," Goldberg said. "Educators and our com- munities deserve better. We demand that school districts hold steady and commit to providing stable learning environ- ments to students." 37 W I N T E R 2 0 26 Advocacy