Brown Touts New Budget
Sacramento, CA — Governor Jerry Brown’s budget proposal calls for increased spending, but he claims it will put the state on the path to long-term stability.
The Governor’s proposed budget released this morning calls for $97.6 billion in spending next fiscal year, up from the current $92.9 billion. It is a 4% increase. The state will receive around $6 billion in extra revenues next fiscal year from voter approved Proposition 30. Brown says the money will be utilized to help improve K-12 and higher education.
Brown says money will also be used to pay off debt, and create a $1billion surplus.
You can find the entire 248 page budget document by clicking here.
The following bullet points were written by the Governor’s Office:
Maintains Long-Term Fiscal Stability
By aligning expenditures with revenues, paying down debt and creating a $1 billion reserve, this budget provides long-term fiscal stability on a level that California has not enjoyed in more than a decade.
Invests in Education and Increases Local Control
After years of decline, this budget significantly increases state funding per student in K-12 schools – $2,700 by 2016-2017. Funding for K-12 and community colleges increases by $2.7 billion next year, and by $19 billion by 2016-2017. While K-12 school districts across the state will benefit from the increased funding-through a new school funding formula-school districts serving those students who have the greatest challenges will receive more generous increases-so that all students in California have the opportunity to succeed. The budget increases flexibility at the local level so those closest to the students can make the decisions.
Increases Funding to Strengthen Higher Education and Increase Affordability
This budget increases state funding for UC and CSU by an additional $250 million, 5 percent. It proposes a multi-year stable funding plan to strengthen our higher education system, ensure affordability and reduce student indebtedness. Higher education costs have risen rapidly and middle class students have paid the price. By shortening the time it takes a student to successfully complete a degree and calling on UC and CSU to deploy their instructional resources more effectively, the system can be made more affordable-both for the students and the state.
Implements Federal Health Care Reform
This budget expands access to health care for Californians by implementing federal health care reform. It expands coverage by simplifying Medi-Cal eligibility and extending coverage to childless adults and uninsured parents. Given promised federal funding, the budget outlines two alternative pathways. It also recognizes that implementation of health care reform will require changes in the respective responsibilities of the state and the counties.
