June 16, 2009 - State Budget Deficit Grows
CTA Calls for Rescinding Tax Breaks to Businesses
With the defeat of the Special Election initiatives and further declining revenues, the state budget deficit is once again at $24 billion and Governor Schwarzenegger has once again proposed cuts to education, health care and other vital services. Public schools and colleges are looking at another $6 billion in cuts on top of the $11.6 billion as part of the budget agreement approved in February.
First, I want to thank everyone for all their work in the May Special Election. From the beginning, we knew this was going to be a tough campaign as voters were rightfully upset with lawmakers for failing to do their jobs, but I am proud of all of the phone calls and work by CTA members in this effort. CTA has already started legal action to ensure that our schools and colleges are paid the money they are owed under the state�s minimum school funding law and is working with legislative leaders to include a payback provision as part of the final state budget legislation. The �maintenance factor� owed to schools and community colleges is now nearly $10 billion.
May Revision and More Revenues
Technically, the state budget has been approved, but the Legislature must now make final �adjustments� to close the growing deficit. CTA, the Education Coalition and other labor unions are calling on lawmakers to support additional revenues as part of the adjusted budget agreement. It starts with rescinding the corporate tax breaks approved by lawmakers over the past two years, which would raise more than $2.5 billion annually. Students and public schools should not be taking additional budget cuts, while businesses are getting tax breaks. CTA also supports proposals for an oil severance tax. Democratic leaders are putting together a compromise budget proposal and are expected to send it to the Budget Conference Committee this week. State Controller John Chiang has warned lawmakers that a final budget must be approved by the end of the month to avoid a complete fiscal meltdown in the state by July 28.
August Layoffs
CTA�s Legal Department is helping chapters prepare for August layoff notices. About 17 school districts have indicated they are planning summer layoffs. The final deadline is August 15. So far, nearly 16,000 of the layoff notices sent in March have been confirmed, while more than 11,000 notices have been rescinded.
Duncan and Data
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has been talking a lot about California lately and, unfortunately, he has a few facts wrong. Following a visit to a school in San Francisco, Duncan attacked California�s statewide data system for failing to uniformly link student test scores to teachers and determine teacher effectiveness. In reality, California law reflects CTA�s strong belief in local control. It allows student data, including scores on criterion referenced tests, to be used in local districts to improve student learning, help guide instruction, identify professional development needs and evaluate teachers. CTA believes those decisions are best made at the local level, rather than creating another costly statewide bureaucracy.
New Hope for National Health Care Reform
With more than 47 million people, including 6.6 million in California, without health insurance, it is way past time for health care reform. CTA and NEA are working with a broad coalition of organizations to support affordable and quality health care for all as President Obama rolls out his plan this week. CTA and NEA support health care reforms that guarantee a choice of health care plans and providers through existing insurance plans, and that provide a government-sponsored public health insurance plan. Visit the Health Care Action Center at www.nea.org for more information.
Getting a Complete Count
The 2010 Census is just around the corner and as the state prepares to ensure that every Californian is counted, I have been appointed to serve on the state�s California Complete Count Committee. The committee represents the diverse population, geography and organizations in California and will work with the Census Bureau to coordinate outreach. The Census determines how federal funds are distributed throughout the state and the number of congressional seats designated for California. For the first time in its 150 year history, California could lose a seat.
Time for CTA Summer Conferences
As the traditional school year ends, CTA Summer Conferences begin. The National Education Association�s Annual Representative Assembly will be held over the July 4th weekend in San Diego. More than 1,200 CTA delegates will attend. A number of policies and issues will be discussed, including the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, which is now scheduled for next January. Education Secretary Duncan will listen to educator concerns during a town hall meeting at the RA on July 2.
The 54th CTA President�s Conference will be held at the end of July in Monterey. With state budget cuts and a gubernatorial election, it is going to be a busy year. And finally, whether you are looking to polish your bargaining skills, understand school finance, organize your local community, or build a culture for success at your school, register to attend the CTA Summer Institute. The Summer Institute will be held August 2-7 at UCLA in Los Angeles. You can register online at www.cta.org.
California Teachers Association
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