The ABCFT Negotiating Team will be attending the
School Services Conference that analyzes the Governor's budget
on Wednesday, January 16th. We will be attending with
ASFCME, CSEA and the ABC Administration so we can hear the
same information. ABCFT will have more info out in the
near future about the impact on ABC.
Ray Gaer
President, ABC Federation of Teachers
State Budget
With the success of Proposition 30, the state budget has turned a
corner. For the first time in many years, we start the annual budget process
without a deficit, and with the prospect of a $2.7 billion increase to
Proposition 98. This is a testament to the fact that the hard work of CFT
members leading up to the November election has paid off.
Proposition 98
The Governor provides Proposition 98 funding of $56.2
billion for K-14 education in 2013-14, which represents a year over year increase
of about $2.7 billion. An additional $2.2 billion in ongoing funding that was
used on a one-time basis in 2012-13 is freed up for use in the 2013-14 budget.
Put together, this means there is a total of $4.9 billion in additional
Proposition 98 resources that are available in 2013-14.
For K-12 schools, the Governor
proposes to allocate the increase as follows—
•
$1.8 billion to further reduce late payments to
schools
•
$1.6 billion for “growth funding” (see section below
on policy proposals)
•
$400.5 million for Prop 39-related energy efficiency
projects
•
$307.2 million for projected increase to statewide
ADA
•
$100 million to fund two additional mandates
•
$62.8 million to fund 1.65% COLA to select
categoricals, ex. special education (COLA for revenue limits is incorporated
within the new funding proposal—see Policy Proposals)
For community colleges, the
Governor proposes to allocate the increase as follows—
•
$317.5 million to reflect transferred responsibility
for adult education and apprenticeship programs
•
$196.9 million for an increase for base apportionment
funding
•
(This increase is unallocated and could translate to a
COLA and/or growth/restoration funding)
•
$179 million to further reduce late payments to
colleges
•
$49.5 million for Prop 39-related energy efficiency
projects
•
$16.9 million to expand online learning courses
Community colleges will receive an additional $47.8
million in state general fund dollars in 2012-13 to offset lower-than-expected
property tax revenue from the elimination of redevelopment. This represents a
stabilizing shift between funding sources, but not an increase in the overall
level of funding and may not completely cover the potential shortfall.
Early Childhood
While early education programs have been cut deeply in
recent years, the Governor proposes essentially flat funding for childcare and
preschool programs in 2013-14. Overall funding across all programs increases by
$22 million (1 percent).
In terms of CalWORKs—For Stage 1, the Governor
proposes an increase of $26 million due to expected work reengagement of
families. This proposal also includes a year-to-year decrease of $21 million
for Stage 2 that is offset by a net year-to year increase of $24.2 million for
Stage 3. This shift is due to families timing out of Stage 2 and shifting into
Stage 3.
University of California (UC)
The Governor provides UC a total of $2.8 billion in
General Fund support, which represents a year over year increase of about $279
million. This includes an increase of $125 million for not increasing tuition
and fees in 2012-13, as well as an ongoing increase of $125.1 million to avoid
increased tuition or fees in the next few years. Included in the second amount
is $10 million to increase the number of online courses.
Major Policy Proposals
Early Childhood – Instead of proposing
a major administrative restructuring of child care, this year the Governor
proposes that the Department of Social Services convene a working group to
assess opportunities for “streamlining” and making improvements to the child care
system.
K-12 Schools – The Governor’s centerpiece
K-12 proposal is the “Local Control Funding Formula,” which has a different
name but is very similar to the Weighted Student Formula he proposed last year.
This year’s proposal applies to basic aid districts, as well as County Offices
of Education. The Governor also presents proposals in the following areas—
asynchronous online learning; online charter school funding and facilities; and
special education funding equalization.
Adult Education – A new and
controversial proposal this year shifts the responsibility for adult education
and apprenticeship programs to the community colleges. The funding associated
with this shift would be distributed by block grants based on the number of
students served and only for core instructional areas such as ESL, vocational
education and citizenship. According to administration officials, the policy
rationale is that adult learners should be served by “the segment that serves
adults.” There are many local-level implementation, timeline and program
continuity issues that need to be scrutinized.
Community Colleges – The Governor’s
proposals in this area include a slightly revised version of last year’s census
date change proposal; in this version, there is a five year phase-in and any
savings would stay within that college to be used for student support services.
In addition, The Governor also presents proposals in the following areas—
expansion of online classes; a 90-unit cap for students; and a FAFSA completion
requirement for a Part B BOG fee waiver.
University of California –
As with other segments, the Governor focuses on increasing the number of
on-line courses. In addition, the Governor proposes Administration approval of
new UC capital expenditures, limits to the amount of the UC budget that can be
spent on capital projects, and recommends UC make new resources available for
instruction if it restructures its debt as a result of this proposal.
Looking Ahead
In closing, this budget summary is based on the best
information available at this moment. Given that many details are still
pending, CFT will be working over the next few weeks to obtain more detail on
both the numbers and the policy proposals that are part of this budget.
Follow-up reports will be forthcoming once more information becomes
available.
This report is the product of collaboration between
the CFT Legislative and Research Departments.
Mónica Henestroza
Legislative Director
California Federation of Teachers
1107 Ninth St, Suite 460
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916)
446-2788b
