Yee Supports Teachers' Effort to Fully Fund Schools

CTA Forced to File Lawsuit Due to Governor's Failure to Fully Fund Prop. 98.

Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) has pledged his complete support of California teachers' effort to fully fund public schools through the voter approved Proposition 98. Today, the California Teachers Association (CTA) announced a lawsuit against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Director of Finance Tom Campbell to enforce the provisions of Proposition 98 that guarantees minimum funding for schools.

"The failure of the Governor to adequately fund public education has had real consequences for our schools," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "Facilities have closed, class sizes have increased, support services have been cut, textbooks are lacking, and teachers, nurses, counselors and librarians have been laid off."

In 1998, California voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 98 to protect schools and students from devastating budget cuts and to maintain a minimum level of education funding.

In 2004, the education community, including CTA, reached agreement with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to "rebench" the Proposition 98 guarantee by $2 billion. That agreement was codified as Chapter 213 of the Statutes of 2004, which suspends Proposition 98 and states that schools shall receive just $2.004 billion less than they otherwise would have been entitled to in 2004-05.

The agreement called for money to be restored as state revenues increased. Under Proposition 98, the agreement, and Chapter 213, the schools were entitled to a share of those additional revenues. Because of the increase in state revenues during the 2004-05 fiscal year, the schools became entitled to an additional $1.8 billion in 2004-05. Schools were not provided that additional funding; instead, the money was spent on other programs.

"Each day we tell our children to study hard and tell the truth, yet our Governor has not kept his promise to our schools or to our children," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "It is unfortunate that our teachers need to file a lawsuit just to prevent catastrophic cuts to public education."

Public schools in San Francisco and San Mateo counties could gain nearly $27 million in new funds if Assembly Bill (AB) 6, backed by Assembly Democrats is passed by the Legislature. The bill would restore the 10 and 11 percent tax brackets on high income earners that existed during the administrations of former governors Ronald Reagan and Pete Wilson. Needing a two-thirds super-majority for passage, AB 6 failed on a 46-32 party line vote on June 15, 2005.

Under AB 6, California schools would receive an additional $2.2 billion in funding for the State's K-14 education system. Ongoing funding provided by AB 6 would total $1.3 billion to school districts and community colleges and another $900 million in one-time funding.

"It is quite ironic that the Governor continues to ask students and parents to pay more for a college education while cutting the amount the state pays for educating our children," said Speaker pro Tem Yee. "Instead of attacking teachers and children through an unnecessary special election, the Governor should be working with us to improve and adequately fund public education."