SACRAMENTO – California Teachers Association President Eric C. Heins issued the following statement Thursday commending Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May revision to the state budget proposal:

“Gov. Newsom continues to demonstrate his commitment to public education from cradle-to-career. The revised budget proposal also continues to focus support on California’s neediest children and families. The historic budget allocations we saw in January have grown mostly due to increased revenues. The additional money for early childhood education, special education, higher education, educator training, providing a secure retirement, and student loan support/forgiveness will help support students, classrooms and educators.

“The revised proposal also includes an unprecedented trigger in the state budget due to increased tax revenues – capital gains – that will move $390 million for the first time ever into the education rainy day fund created by Prop. 2 in 2014. As the governor said, this is certainly ‘frustrating.’ It’s hard for parents, teachers and students to understand why the state would be putting money into a reserve fund when it’s raining right now on our schools. Educators questioned this provision when it was proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown, and now we are seeing nearly $400 million going into a rainy day fund when that funding is desperately needed in our schools and colleges right now. It’s hard to understand when we rank 44th in the nation in per-pupil funding and educators are striking to ensure their students have all the resources they need to succeed. CTA will continue to review the revised budget plan to better understand the feasibility of this rainy day fund trigger and its impact on students. Educators will also continue to advocate for the full and fair funding our students, schools and colleges need and deserve.

“CTA also supports the governor’s proposal that will stop privately-managed charter schools from blocking certain students from attending their schools. Educators throughout the state are meeting weekly with lawmakers in their district offices and look forward to working with the Legislature, and the governor, throughout the budget process to ensure all students have the resources to succeed and the opportunity to thrive in their very own communities.”

###

The 325,000-member California Teachers Association is affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association.