The new Governor will have a unique opportunity to set forth his priorities under very favorable conditions – Newsom inherits a strong economy, a healthy budget reserve and revenues that could support up to $15 billion in new spending and/or building additional reserve funds. Just as significantly, Newsom will be working with a new democratic supermajority in both houses of the California Legislature, a dynamic that presents great opportunities but also potential risks. Our team will break down the complex fiscal and political situation, and focus on Governor Newsom’s expected proposals related to early learning, K-12 and higher education, healthcare, housing and others.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has described the statewide budget as, “in remarkably good shape,” but the funding formulas in the Constitution suggest only modest growth for K-14 funding. In fact, the LAO’s initial estimates are that 2019-20 growth in Prop 98 will be just enough to cover a statutory 3.1% cost-of-living adjustment to the LCFF and on-going categorical programs. We will encourage education advocates to think outside of the box and consider ways a new Governor and Legislature might address chronic-underfunding and rising cost pressures.
These workshops are presented by Capitol Advisors Group in collaboration your county office of education, ACSA, CSBA, AALRR and SSDA. The workshops and materials are provided at no-cost to attendees.