SBX1 18 makes $2.4 billion in reductions in the K-12 and higher education portions of the 2002-03 Budget Act. Some of the highlights, according to CTA budget analysts, are:
- The bill permanently defers $1.1 billion from the special apportionment payment from June 25 until July 2 this year and thereafter.
- It allows school districts to access up to 50 percent of their total unrestricted and restricted reserve balances to offset the 2002-03 mid-year reductions, excluding reserves for capital outlay.
- It makes a $103 million one-time reduction in instructional materials funding and requires school districts to purchase instructional materials for English learners and reading intervention materials for students in grades 4 through 8 with the remaining funds.
- It reduces the school library materials program by $11.6 million.
- It defers $122 million in remaining K-12 mandate claims.
- It reduces the Peer Assistance and Review program by $21.7 million, but expresses an intent to cover "the minimum amount needed to provide matching funds for the BTSA program."
- It suspends the Golden State Exam program ($7.2 million) and the Career Education Exam ($.8 million).
- It waives the local deferred maintenance match for 2002-03.
- It delays the final payment for Instructional Improvement and High Priority Schools grants to 2003-04.
- It reduces various programs to capture savings from lower than expected participation rates.
- It reduces the current year budget for community colleges by $141.2 million, the California State University by $59.6 million and the University of California by $60.9 million.