How will state budget trigger cuts affect you?
In December, Governor Jerry Brown announced that the state did not receive the revenue it had projected and, as a result, $1 billion in state budget trigger cuts went into effect in January and February, 2012. These cuts will not only hurt families, students and children across the state, but our ability to recover during these rough economic times.
Thanks to the active role members have taken in electing working families’ leaders to the state legislature and to school and college boards, SEIU Local 99 is currently in talks with employers discussing ways to avoid layoffs and other drastic cuts resulting from this latest round of cuts. Below is a summary of where we stand in each area where Local 99 members work.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)
Local 99 continues in discussions with LAUSD. According to
LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy, there will be no additional cuts in the current school year.
Compton Unified School District
Local 99 continues in discussions with the District over the impact of trigger cuts. School Board members have indicated
that they are commited to keeping cuts away from direct student services this school year.
Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
The District will tap into its reserve funds to address the additional cuts from the state. As a result, there will be no cuts to
student programs or services and Local 99 members will not see layoffs or furlough days this school year.
Lynwood Unified School District
The School Board continues to review its budget and has indicated that it is committed to keeping cuts away from student
services and employees this school year. Furloughs may be an option to avoid layoffs but they will have to be approved by
Local 99 members.
Pleasant Valley School District
The school district is waiting to hear from Sacramento on trigger cuts but, bracing for the worst, it is planning for mid-year
cuts. Local 99 will work to seek alternatives to layoffs.
Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District
The School District has indicated that it will tap into its reserve funds to avoid cuts to student programs and prevent the loss
of jobs or the need for furlough days this school year.
Torrance Unified School District
The District will pull from its reserve funds to address budget shortfalls and avoid furloughs or other cuts this school year.
The Accelerated School
SEIU Local 99 is currently in discussion with management to maintain current staffing levels and work hours this school
year.
Los Angeles Community College District
Talks with the District continue. The College Board has indicated that it is willing to find alternatives to layoffs and furlough
days in the current academic year.
Ventura County Community College District
The College District will tap into its reserve funds to avoid additional cuts in the current academic year.
Options
No position or program cuts are planned for the current school year as a result of state trigger cuts.
Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF)
MAOF does not expect that the trigger cuts will result in cuts to programs or staff this school year.
CDI Head Start
No cuts are planned for the current academic year.
Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)
Due to LACOE’s various funding sources, administrators are still reviewing the impact of trigger cuts on LACOE’s budget.
Local 99 is keeping a close watch and will address budget issues with LACOE.
What Can You Do?
While we are working to minimize the immediate impact of the state’s latest round of cuts, and may even stave
off some of the worst cuts this fiscal year, what’s clear is that we need long term solutions so our futures are not on the
line year after year. We are in this current budget mess because last summer Republican legislators refused to vote to maintain
$10 billion in existing revenue for our state. Even though education has already taken $18 billion in cuts over the
last three years, Republicans refused to vote for revenue that would have prevented trigger cuts.
Get ready to fight to secure revenue
It can get better. In 2012 we can make the difference by taking Sacramento gridlock out of the equation. Californians like us will have the opportunity at the ballot box to secure the revenue we need for functioning schools and safe communities. Look for information soon on how you can get involved to help rebuild California.