AB X1 8, the pending measure to reduce $12.8 billion in state funding for the current, 2002-2003 fiscal year, would reduce school funding by about $2.2 billion.
CTA succeeded in keeping out of the bill all across-the-board cuts, reductions to the base revenue limit, teacher furloughs or class size increases. CTA's mobilization also played a key role in keeping out of the final measure the governor's proposed 3.66 percent across-the-board reduction to revenue limits and categorical programs, the proposed additional 7.46 percent cut to categorical program funding, and proposed cuts to adult education and Regional Occupational Centers.
Specifically, the measure as approved by the legislature would:
- Defer $1.087 billion in P-2 public education apportionment payments from June until July 1. This deferral makes the funds the equivalent of an early payment of Proposition 98 funds that would be due to schools in 2003-2004. The deferral has the effect of slowing the growth in the Proposition 98 funding base by the same amount.
- Allow local districts to use up to 50 percent of restricted and unrestricted reserves to offset midyear cuts, excluding reserves for capital outlay.
- Waive the local deferred maintenance match for 2002-03.
- Defer $122 million in state mandate claims.
- Cut $103 million in 2002-2003 instructional materials funding.
- Reduce by $21.8 million funds for the Peer Assistance and Review (PAR) program.
- Reduce by $11.6 million funding for school libraries.
- Save $7.2 million by suspending the Golden State Exam.
- Cut $1.3 million from California Technology Assistance Project (CTAP).
- Cut $179 million from funding for the community colleges. (Gov. Davis' January budget proposed cutting funding from the colleges by more than $350 million.)
- Reduce by $59.6 million funding for the CSU system. This reduction includes a 2.2 percent across-the-board cut.