Senator Portantino’s Statement on the Governor’s May Revise 2019-2020 Budget

Sacramento, California- Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) is optimistic about the Governor’s 2019-2020 May revised budget, specifically on public and early education.

“I applaud Governor Newsom for his efforts to focus on our most vulnerable early education students.  The earlier we invest on our children the better they perform throughout their academic lives. Education is the most important issue for the 25th Senate District and I am glad this budget includes an increase on per pupil funding.  Although there is more work for the Senate Budget Committee to do, the Governor’s May revise budget sets the table nicely for those conversations to be productive,” commented Senator Portantino.

The May 2019-2020 Revise includes the following line items above the Governor’s May Revised Budget:

• Includes total funding of $101.8 billion ($58.9 billion General Fund.
• $42.9 billion other funds) for all K-12 education programs.
• Proposition 98 funding is $81.1 billion for 2019-2020.
• Allocates a $696.2 million ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund for special education.
• Includes an $89.8 million one-time non-Proposition 98 General Fund to provide an estimated 4,500 loan assumptions (repayments) of up to $20,000 for newly credentialed teachers to work in high-need schools for at least four years.
• Includes total funding of $36.6 billion ($20.6 billion General Fund and local property tax and $16 billion other funds) for all higher education entities in 2019-20.
• Proposes 2 years free community college tuition, the May Revision maintains funding for two free years of community college tuition for first-time full-time students as well as significant increases in funding for the California State University and University of California to prevent tuition increases in the budget year.
• The budget invests in K-12 schools by providing approximately $5,000 more per pupil than 8 years ago, including additional investments to assist students with the greatest needs.
• It also increases the ongoing funding for Special Education by almost $200 million compared to the January budget proposal.

• Building upon the Governor's Budget investment of $15 million ongoing General Fund to address student food and housing insecurity, the May Revision proposes $3.5 million ongoing General Fund to support rapid rehousing of homeless and housing insecure students.

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