CCAE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
February 13, 2012
Upcoming Important Dates:
February 24 Bill Introduction Deadline
March 4 – 5 CCAE Leg Day (Sacramento)
April 27 Policy Committee Deadline (fiscal)
May 11 Policy Committee Deadline (non-fiscal)
May 25 Fiscal Committee Floor Deadline
June 1 House of Origin Deadline
Superintendent Torlakson Provides Strong Support for Adult Education
In a strong showing of support for adult education programs throughout the state, Superintendent Tom Torlakson recently distributed a letter to county and district superintendents and charter school administrators urging them to take a closer look at the value of adult education before considering sweeping adult education funds. The strong support from the Superintendent and California Department of Education for adult education provides a sense of hope in these challenging fiscal times.
Join the Fight for Adult Education at Leg Day
On March 5th, representatives from the adult education community statewide will descend upon the Capitol in Sacramento to fight for maintaining adult education in California. While categorical flexibility has been disastrous for adult education, nothing could be more concerning to the community than the Governor’s categorical consolidation budget proposal moving forward without setting adult education apart. In this regard, we are in the fight of our lives. All adult education stakeholders across the state are urged to attend and help in the fight to protect adult education.
During legislative visits participants will be speaking with members and staff regarding the field’s opposition to the Governor’s budget proposal and support for CAEAA and CCAE’s jointly sponsored bill being authored by adult education champion, Assemblyman Mike Eng.
Please be sure to join us for this important day and ensure your voice and support for adult education is heard!
LAO Releases Education Budget Analysis
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) recently released its analysis of the education proposals included in Governor Jerry Brown’s FY 2012-2013 budget plan. For the most part, the report argued in support of the Governor’s education proposals and recommended the Legislature act in accordance with the plan’s overall policy goals. The LAO, however, took issue and expressed concerns over the almost $5 billion in temporary tax funding assumptions the Governor included in FY 2012-2013 budget calculations. Recall, the Governor’s proposed initiative would temporarily increase income taxes on the wealthy and raise the sales tax by half a cent. Since the Governor’s tax increase has yet to even qualify for the November 2012 ballot, the LAO recommends the Legislature re-evaluate the Governor’s back-up budget plan, which outlines heavy cuts to school Proposition 98 funding, in the event the measure fails to qualify or is rejected by voters. The report suggests lawmakers should consider implementing immediate spending cuts that could later be back-filled should the temporary taxes win voter approval.
For more information, please see http://www.lao.ca.gov/analysis/2012/education/proposition-98-020612.pdf.
PPIC Poll Finds Mixed Review for Brown’s Tax Plan
According to the latest Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report, a majority of California voters (56%) support Governor Brown's tax measure to resolve the state deficit. That said, the same voters have mixed feelings about the array of proposals that will be before them – notably the tax measures. As you well know, the Governor is in the midst of a full court press to persuade voters to pass his tax proposal in November. When voters are provided the details of the plan and the fact that the tax increases would spare education from further cuts, over 60% of likely voters expressed support for the plan. However, when asked specifically about an increase in personal income taxes, over 60% indicated they were opposed. The only tax idea that won support in the poll was raising income taxes on the rich, garnering 68% support.
2012 Legislation
AB 18 (Brownley): Education Finance: Pupil Equity Funding
This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to make recommendations relating to the changes necessary to support the implementation of comprehensive school-level financial data and to compute an additional amount to be apportioned to the revenue limit to each district. Additionally, it would provide for school district and charter school funding for instruction to English learners and low-income pupils, class size reduction, provision of professional development training, provision of teacher mentoring, and other purposes.
Location: Senate Education Committee
AB 1618 (Galgiani): Technical Education
The bill, currently a placeholder, would make changes to existing law that is geared toward encouraging the establishment of technical, agricultural, and natural resource conservation schools in those areas of the state where they are needed in order to reduce the number of school dropouts, combat juvenile delinquency, and to provide more skilled and trained workers.
Location: Assembly
AB 1638 (Brownely): Education Finance: Block Grant Funding
This bill, currently a placeholder, would amend existing law regarding block grant funding – expressing the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would simplify school finance by consolidating funding for categorical programs into targeted block grants to promote greater equity, increase local control, and improve instruction.
Location: Assembly
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