Senator Portantino’s Statement on 2018- 2019 Senate Budget

Sacramento, California- Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) Chair of Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education issued the following statement on the Senate Budget:

“I am very pleased with the final State budget which includes a strong focus on public education. The 25th Senate District prioritizes public education above all other issues and I am very grateful to be in the position to help increase funding for public school students across California,” commented Portantino

The budget includes spending $78.4 billion from Proposition 98 on K-14 and includes Provides $3.6 billion to increase LCFF, an increase of $673 million above the Jan 10 Budget and $407 million above the May Revision. This increase is the planned full funding of LCFF and an additional $673 million increase to the funding base.  And an ongoing Cost of Living Adjustment COLA.

“Over the past several months, we have worked hard to ensure that public education receives more financial resources this budget year.  We have created the highest funding investment in K-14 history. And, with the higher education investments, colleges will be more accessible for Californians. I look forward to continue to work towards increasing funding for education across the state.” concluded Portantino.

The state Budget includes the following line items:

Provides $3.6 billion to increase LCFF, an increase of $673 million above the Jan 10 Budget and $407 million above the May Revision.

$300 million in one-time funds to provide support for Low Performing Students

$1 billion in one-time discretionary funding for K-12 school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools.

Hold harmless funding provisions for schools affected by fires and natural disasters

$44 million Federal Funds Block Grant funding for visual and performing arts and mental and physical health services for schools.

Provides over 13,000 new child care slots and increases rates for infants, toddlers, and children with exceptional needs and severe disabilities.

$50 million for campus safety prioritization

A cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, for community college part time faculty and student initiative

$10 million for California STEM Pathways Program. Senator Portantino has been working on this initiative for schools to partner with business leaders for a STEM education pipeline for California students.

$10 million for mental health services for community colleges

$105 million one-time for UC for general purposes spending which may be used to avoid tuition increases  

$40 million one-time to restore Proposition 56 funding for the UC

$25 million one-time to help address UC Berkeley budget issues

$35 million one-time for deferred maintain for UC

$5 million ongoing for small enrollment growth for UC

$25 million in California State University base funding to increase tenured faculty

$105 million ongoing for Graduation Initiative and general use for CSU

$120 million one-time to increase enrollment by 3,000 for four years for CSU

$35 million one-time for deferred maintenance for CSU  

$5.2 million to expand Cal Grants eligibility Foster Youth

 

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