We are NOT giving up on the State budget!

On September 23, the Governor signed a budget 85 days late and $9 billion short.

It underfunds and undervalues our schools, health care, and other vital services. This budget cuts $3.3 billion from public K-14 education and gives the governor new powers to cut funding for some education programs mid-year. It also undermines Proposition 98, the minimum school funding law, and locks in California’s status as a “bottom-of-the-barrel” state in terms of education funding.

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SEIU and the California Budget: No More Cuts and Gimmicks!

December 2, 2008
SEIU  California State Council on the State Budget

As new legislators begin 1st day of work, SEIU proposes a budget to rebuild the Middle Class
$14 billion in stable state revenues and $15 billion federal stimulus will avoid further cuts to kids, seniors, and families; boost economic recovery

As a new class of legislators begins work amidst unprecedented economic and budget challenges, SEIU California State Council today unveiled A Budget to Rebuild the Middle Class to address California’s $28 billion budget crisis and begin an economic recovery for California’s families after years of devastating state funding cuts. SEIU’s proposal provides a roadmap to economic and budget recovery for California, generating $14 billion in fair, sustainable revenues to support the state’s most critical services for children and families through FY 09-10 and target $15 billion in federal dollars to stimulate the state’s stagnant economy.

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How the State budget affects LAUSD

Summary  
Funding for K-14 (including community colleges) education in 2008-09 is essentially at the same level as in 2007-08 which means that $3 billion was cut from K-14 education under the Prop 98 guarantee.

Bottom Line:
Even though LAUSD did get a small COLA (0.6%) and some new money which can only be spent on specific schools and programs (Program Improvement and QEIA), it is not enough money to absorb the increase costs of doing business or inflation. LAUSD balanced its budget by proposing 4 furloughs days.  The state budget does not give LAUSD enough money to eliminate all those days.  REGARDLESS OF LAUSD BUDGET, LAUSD MUST NEGOTIATE WITH SEIU LOCAL 99 HOW AND WHETHER FURLOUGH DAYS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

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Assemblymember Warren Furutani Speaks to SEIU Local 99 Members on the California Budget

Warren Futurani has long worked in education, on the LAUSD School Board and the Los Angeles Community College board of trustees. He values education as an investment in our future. We went to Sacramento to speak with leaders like Furutani, and come up with strategies for raising revenue for education by taxing big business and the top 1%, and building coalitions that will make our California Dream a reality.

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Members Lobby for Education in Sacramento

SEIU Local 99 members are speaking out to legislators about what Gov. Schwarzenegger' s proposed budget cuts will mean to our schools, jobs and community. Join the next wave of member lobbyists. Our voices make a difference.

Click here to view the Photo Gallery!

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More Economic Games From Arnold Schwarzenegger

During the Governor’s proclaimed “Year of Education,” his May Revision cuts K-12 education funding by more than $4.3 billion. 

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De-Mystifying The California Budget Crisis

Recession is looming on the horizon, as the state tells us to tighten our belts, while giving tax breaks to our wealthiest citizens. How did we get here? What makes this year so different? And what can we do about it?

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