CTA representatives’ intense vigilance helped win a 2007-2008 state budget that meets Proposition 98’s minimum funding requirements, provides cost-of-living adjustments for all programs, and arrives just in time to prevent payment delays from harming K-12 and community college classrooms.
Under terms of the budget, schools will receive full funding to cover the statutory Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) of 4.53%, as well as funding for student enrollment.
Although the state Assembly had approved the spending plan in July, opposition from Republican lawmakers in the Senate kept the bill from passing both houses of the legislature until August 21.
Even then, it took bold action by two Republican Senators – Senate Minority Leader Dick Ackerman (R-Tustin) and Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) – to secure the required two-thirds vote in the Senate to pass the bill.
“Teachers across California are pleased that the Senate finally reached agreement on a state budget that protects public education. Teachers, administrators, school employees and parents are all breathing a collective sigh of relief,” said CTA President David Sanchez.
At the same time, Association leaders are expressing disappointment that lawmakers approved a “budget trailer bill” that will reinstate the counterproductive Standardized Testing and Reporting Exam (STAR) for second-graders. They pledge that CTA will continue its efforts to “create a testing system that is more appropriate for young learners.”
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the budget measure into law during an August 24 ceremony. Prior to putting his pen to paper, the governor vetoed $700 million in the final spending measure from programs other than education.
(See the close-up story for the general outlines of the final spending plan.)
Intense Battles in Capitol
CTA members from around the state reinforced the efforts of CTA advocates and Education Coalition representatives by contacting their legislators in support of a budget that would protect public education. Their efforts were especially intense in districts that had key Republican senators.
Among its major provisions, the final legislative budget:
- Fully funds the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and growth at 4.53% for all school and community college programs, including class size reduction and instructional materials.
- Meets the Proposition 98 minimum funding guarantee but at a “bare-bones” level.
In budget related action with an impact on schools, Senate Democratic leaders have also committed not to take up SB 98, a CTA-opposed trailer bill that would reduce state revenues by providing tax breaks to the film industry, oil companies, and financial institutions.