California Teachers Association (CTA) President David B. Goldberg responded to the signing of California’s state budget, expressing concern over measures that affect funding for public schools. In his statement, Goldberg referenced Proposition 98, a measure passed by voters to protect school funding regardless of economic conditions.
“California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 98 to protect school funding in good times and bad. While we know these are times of great economic uncertainty, including direct threats from the federal administration, we also believe in upholding the protections for school funding that are enshrined in our state constitution and intended to ensure that funding for California’s schools remains stable, even in difficult times. It is both unconstitutional and detrimental to students and our communities to attempt to erode this funding,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg acknowledged that the new budget supports several education initiatives but criticized a maneuver within it that defers and redirects Prop. 98 funds. According to him, this move could lead to lower funding for schools in the future.
“The budget signed by the governor, while funding many important education initiatives that our members have fought hard for, includes a funding maneuver that re-routes and defers Prop. 98 dollars and leaves schools vulnerable to lower funding next year. Having raised these concerns with the governor’s administration and legislative leaders throughout budget negotiations, we are disappointed at the continued attempts to manipulate Prop. 98 money constitutionally owed to schools. This opens the door to future reductions in education funding at a time when we need our schools to be safe and stable places for all,” he stated.
The CTA represents 310,000 members across California who advocate for educational resources and staffing. Goldberg emphasized their ongoing commitment: “The 310,000 members of CTA remain fully committed to fighting for funding for our students and schools. Attempts in this budget agreement to weaken the constitutional protections behind the Prop. 98 funding guarantee would harm public schools and likely lead to increased class sizes, teacher layoffs, cuts to librarians, counselors, nurses and other integral support staff.”
He concluded by urging lawmakers not to delay payments due under Proposition 98 or reduce education budgets further as they revisit fiscal plans later in the year: “We know that our schools and communities need more funding, not less. With the likelihood that the budget will be revisited later this year, we urge the governor and the Legislature to uphold the California constitution and adhere to the will of the voters and not delay payment of billions of dollars to California’s public schools. Now and moving forward, we need to work together to solve our state budget crises through new revenue solutions that will fully fund critical public services for our communities and hold wealthy individuals and corporations accountable.”
