The Governor's 2006-07 budget proposal is a start, but it falls short of providing the minimum funding requirement of Proposition 98 and the necessary funding for education overall.
While his proposals are a beginning to the deliberations between the legislature and the administration, the fact remains that our kids and K-12 schools and community colleges are owed billions of dollars. And California continues to rank near the bottom in per pupil spending at about $1,000 below the national average.
The governor's proposal to reduce Proposition 98 funding in order to pay for Proposition 49 after-school programs violates the commitment made to voters when they passed the initiatives. It also falsely implies that the money owed to schools under Prop. 98 is being fully repaid.
California voters have been very clear. They want adequate funding for our public schools. They also strongly support the minimum school funding protections provided by Prop. 98 and believe our schools should get the money they are owed under state law.
CTA will continue to work with the legislature and the Governor to make sure our students get the resources they deserve and need to succeed.
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The CTA is affiliated with the 2.7 million-member National Education Association.