Portantino Helps Score More Funding For Public Education Governor's May Budget Revision Includes Significant Increases

Sacramento, CA – Today, Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), Chair of Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education, reacted to Governor Brown’s May revised budget plan, which now includes several of Senator Portantino’s key budget priorities.

“Although there will be a lot of haggling over the next month as we continue to craft the final budget, I am appreciative of Governor Brown’s response to several of my budget priorities thus far,” commented Portantino.

Senator Portantino strongly advocated for additional funding for K–12 and higher education funding in California’s fiscal 2017–2018 budget. He added his support for a restoration of child care and state pre-school funding, a top priority for the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.  And specifically, the May budget revision restores the $500 million for child care providers, no longer proposes a deep deferral of funding for K–12 schools, increases funding by $4,058 per student over 2011–12 levels, and restores cuts to Cal Grants.  There will be more one-time money for K–12 and LCFF implementation, a top concern for school districts in the 25th Senate District.

“While there are growing pressures and constraints on the budget, I am happy to see the Governor’s proposal to increase our investment in education and respond to some of the concerns raised to me by my local school boards and superintendents.  I am going to continue to advocate and work collaboratively to fully fund education for all of our students,” concluded Portantino. 

Contact: Darla Dyson, (818) 409-0400

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Sen. Portantino represents nearly 930,000 people in the 25th Senate District, which includes Altadena, Atwater Village, Bradbury, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Verne, Lake View Terrace, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland-Tujunga, and Upland.