A new study by a non-partisan and independent research organization in Sacramento has determined that Pres. George Bush's proposed cuts in federal funding totaling $183 billion over five years would reduce "selected discretionary grants in aid to California by $3.9 billion between 2007 and 2011 and by $1.2 billion in 2011 alone as compared to 2006, after adjusting for inflation." These grants go to schools and other programs providing services to children and their families.
The new briefing paper --
What Would the President's Proposed Budget Mean for California -- was released on February 23 by the California Budget Project (CBP). It was prepared by CBP Director Jean Ross and David Illig.
The study concludes that "federal funding for a number of education-related domestic discretionary programs in California would be reduced substantially under the President's proposed budget."
- The study finds that state vocational and adult basic education programs would lose $915 million between 2007 and 2011, under terms of Pres. Bush's proposal. These programs would lose $194.1 million or 74.8% in 2011 alone, compared to the base year of 2006 after inflation is taken into consideration.
- Ross and Illig determined that by 2011, funding for basic adult education would fall 12.9% below the 2006 funding levels.
- Elementary and secondary education would lose $729.6 million between 2007 and 2011. In 2011 alone, the programs would lose $355.2 million (8.5%) compared to 2006, after adjustments for inflation. Items in this category include programs for disadvantaged and special education students, as well as the school improvement program.
- The federal cuts would reduce funding for special education by $574.5 million between 2007 and 2011. Special education funded would decline by $178.9 million (or 13.2%) in 2011 alone compared to the 2006 base year. For instance, the study determined that "Head Start Program and programs for abused and neglected children, which would be reduced by $446.1 million between 2007 and 2011 and by $139.3 million (13.4%) in 2011 alone as compared to 2006, after adjusting for inflation.
The entire report can be downloaded in Portable Document Format (PDF) from the California Budget Project's website, www.cbp.org.