Governor’s budget proposal protects schools, but more still to be done
On Tuesday Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his initial budget proposal for the upcoming 2023-2024 fiscal year. Although the state of California is facing a $22.5 billion budget gap for the upcoming year, public education is largely protected in the Governor’s proposed budget, without having to access the Prop. 98 rainy day fund. Amongst the Governor’s proposals are an 8.13% COLA for TK-12 schools and community colleges and a 5% increase in base funding for the UC system.
CFT President Jeff Freitas praised the Governor for protecting public education in a statement released this week, but he also challenged statewide elected leaders to do more.
“CFT applauds Governor Newsom’s years-long commitment to raising California’s per pupil funding. Nevertheless, as the world’s fourth largest economy, we can and must do more for our public schools,” said Freitas. “As we continue to hash out the details of our state’s budget in the coming months, we will work with the Governor and fellow public school champions in the Legislature to fund California’s future through critical investments in public education. Our key priorities will be addressing staffing shortages and lowering class sizes, so that our students can receive the consistent, individualized education they deserve.”
Disaster relief for CFT members impacted by storms
The recent storms in California have uprooted communities and schools across the state.
While the rain is welcome relief for the years-long drought, so far the storms have claimed at least 19 lives and led to evacuations, substantial property damage, and some school closures.
If you have lost your home or suffered property damage because of the storms, please let us know. Contact Liz Soto at 818-843-8226 or [email protected] to see if you qualify for accessing support from the CFT Disaster Relief Fund.
And as we continue to face more storms in the coming days, make sure to sign up for emergency alerts from your county. The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services also has multi-lingual disaster preparedness resources for families and communities available at their Listos California resource web page.
The life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. is more important than ever
As we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. this weekend, his life’s work and legacy are more relevant than ever. CFT has taken a strong stand advocating for racial and social justice in our schools, in our communities, and within our union. And with divisive and dishonest campaigns taking place in school communities across the nation, from anti-CRT hysteria to banning books, our commitment to these fundamental values is essential.
Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Education was integral to Dr. King’s vision for a more just society, and working to ensure that dream comes true is integral to our work today.
Share the influential ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr. using these resources and activities from AFT’s Share My Lesson.
