Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/830448
Assembly Member Rob Bonta at a rally supporting legislation for charter accountability, transparency. Photo by Mike Myslinski Legislative Update STATE BUDGET REVISION INCREASES EDUCATION SPENDING The May revision to Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed bud- get saw an increase in funding for students of greatest need and community colleges. However, CTA is con- cerned that a proposal to lock in ongoing future cuts to public education is essentially "gaming" Proposition 98, the state's minimum school funding law. Recognizing higher state revenues than expected in January, Brown added $1.4 billion to the Local Control Funding Formula, which will help local school districts recruit and retain highly qualified teachers, and help students have access to tools and resources they need. Money was also restored to allow more children to attend state preschool programs and support child care providers. "We share the governor 's commitment to provide health care to all children," says CTA President Eric Heins, "but also share his concerns about health care cuts proposed by the Trump administration and the devastating impact they would have in California." Community colleges will receive additional funding to help increase course availability and hiring of full-time faculty. But the budget contains cuts to the California State University (CSU) and University of California sys- tems, which Heins calls "deeply disappointing." "CTA strongly opposed the student tuition hikes approved by the CSU trustees," he says. "College should be affordable to all. Inadequate funding for higher education hinders the state's ability to create an educated workforce to fuel our economy." The California Faculty Association is calling on the Legislature to approve a 2017-18 state budget that funds CSU by $325 million above the current year funding. CTA is calling for formal certification of Prop. 98. It opposes Brown's proposal to reduce the minimum school funding guarantee contingent on future state revenues, and take ongoing money away from schools. A final budget must be signed by July 15. BILLS TO STOP CHARTER SCHOOL WASTE, FRAUD Lawmakers, educators, parents and a broad coalition of community supporters are rallying around a package of CTA-sponsored bills that would ensure California char- ter school accountability and transparency, along with unbiased access to all students. SB 808 by Sen. Tony Mendoza, AB 1478 by Assembly Member Reggie Jones-Sawyer, and AB 1360 by Assem- bly Member Rob Bonta would address many of the injustices and fraudulent practices that are negatively impacting California's students. For details about these bills, see page 33. 35 May / June 2017 advocacy