Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1543424
The Fight for Fully Funded Schools Our union's legislative platform for 2026 — and beyond O U R U N I O N C O N T I N U E S to fight for the schools our students deserve. This year, as determined by CTA State Council of Education and the Board of Directors, our legisla- tive platform is Fully Funded Schools. This includes: Protecting Proposition 98 Approved by voters in 1988, Proposition 98 is a consti- tutional amendment that guarantees a minimum annual funding level for K-12 schools and community colleges. It ensures a steady financial base from California's Gen- eral Fund and local property taxes, adjusted annually for enrollment and economic changes. Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed 2026-27 State Budget withholds $5.6 billion of Prop. 98 funds; Our union is actively fighting for every dol- lar that is guaranteed to our students. Securing new revenue California, as a global economic leader, needs well-funded public services, yet unstable funding and federal cuts have left education and health care struggling. With corporate profits soaring while families face rising costs, policymakers must ensure corporations pay their fair share in taxes to sup- port essential services. Our union is working on identifying creative ways to bring new revenue into the state to prioritize workers over corporate greed. Community Schools sustainability Our union is committed to helping grow and support Cal- ifornia Community Schools, in partnership with students, families and communities. In a year 's time, according to a recent Learning Policy Institute study, students at Community Schools have made major gains in academic achievement and social-emotional well-being. With a shared decision-making process unique to the needs of individual Community Schools, they are a model for public education. Our union will be fighting this year for long-term sustainable funding for Community Schools across the state. Establishing paid pregnancy leave Our union is fighting for paid pregnancy leave, a basic right in most countries, to address the inequities faced by educators, the majority of whom are women. Currently, edu- cators must use all sick time before accessing reduced pay, forcing many to return to work prematurely or face financial hardship. This discriminatory practice impacts their health, family planning, and retirement, where women already earn significantly less than male colleagues. CTA is sponsoring legislation to establish paid pregnancy leave for educators. Relief for school districts with emergency state loans California's public education funding should prioritize today 's students, not be drained to pay off decades-old financial mis- management. Emergency state loans force districts to divert critical classroom resources toward debt repayment, penal- izing current learners for past mistakes. By providing relief to school districts with emergency loans, we allow precious public education funding to focus on improving educational outcomes, reducing class sizes, and retaining high-quality teachers. Taking on this fight ensures that education dollars benefit the students currently in the classroom, rather than servicing the debts of the past. 42 cta.org Advocacy