“OUR EDUCATIONAL S O LVENCY is on the line with the Proposition 55 extension,” says Sandra Rivera, president of Alum Rock Educators Association (AREA). “The renewal of Prop. 55 is the lifeline for public education.”

The past year has been especially challenging for California public schools, with threats coming from all directions: Chronically underfunded public education needs; attacks by extremists from outside our communities and even on our school boards; continued waste, fraud and corruption from bad faith actors in the charter school industry that siphons precious resources from neighborhood public schools; and a Trump Administration that appears determined to destroy public education.

With a misguided austerity mindset permeating school boards across the state, many districts have turned to extreme and unnecessary measures, like closing schools and laying off educators — bringing further chaos to our classrooms and communities at a time when our students need their schools to be safe havens.

Amid these ongoing attacks, an imposing deadline looms — the 2030 expiration of Proposition 55 funds for our schools, which would mean an immediate, devastating 15% cut to funding for our public schools ( find out how much your district stands to lose at cta.org/Prop55Extension). While 2030 may seem like a long time away, our union is already working hard to secure that funding permanently, organizing a signature-gathering campaign to qualify an initiative for the November 2026 election and strategizing a ground game to ensure we win for our public schools.

“We as educators came into this profession to support all students — and that has to be both inside and outside the classroom,” says Alexis Weiner, Burbank Teachers Association (BTA) external organizing chair. “[Prop. 55] is one way to maintain the stability our schools need.”

In CTA locals throughout the state, educators are organizing to build power, creating structures to communicate, educate and take action for the resources our students need and defending public education as a cornerstone of our democracy. As CTA-Berryessa (CTAB) organizes to gather signatures for the Prop. 55 extension, President Joe Hermann says our collective advocacy makes a difference.

“It’s a time to come together like never before for an issue we can all agree on and see the value for students, public education and working families,” says Hermann.

Throughout the state, our locals are already fighting at the table for safe, stable schools and the teaching and learning conditions all students deserve, advocating for the support and resources they need to be the leaders of tomorrow. Here’s a look at how local associations from across the state are building structures at every worksite to win local campaigns and win a permanent extension of Prop. 55 funding as a statewide union.

Read more about the local campaigns here:

Berryessa

Burbank

Desert Sands

Pasadena

Alum Rock

Join the Fight to Extend Prop. 55 — Permanently

PROP. 55 IS ESSENTIAL to our fight for school funding. It was approved by voters in 2016, extending Prop. 30’s personal income tax increases. It generates almost $15 billion annually for our schools and community colleges.

But Prop. 55 is set to expire in 2030. Extending it — permanently — is vital to preserve the resources we have and achieve more in the future. The tax extension would apply to couples earning more than $700,000. Without an extension, our schools and community colleges will be hit with an immediate 15% cut in funding.

Take action with our union now to secure permanent funding.
• Find out how much funding your district stands to lose at cta.org/Prop55Extension.
• Join your local chapter’s signature-gathering campaign to qualify an initiative for the November 2026 election.
• Talk to friends, fellow educators, families, neighbors and more about this crucial school funding extension for the 2026 ballot.
Find resources at cta.org/Prop55Extension.