Today the Education Coalition called on legislative leaders to prioritize education funding and identify additional revenue to close a projected $20 billion* education state budget shortfall during the global pandemic and beyond.
The coalition is comprised of the nine statewide K-12 education associations (including California State PTA) that work closely to advocate for the 8.4 million students in California’s public schools. The $20 billion shortfall for schools includes $12.5 billion in deferred costs to K-14 schools and community colleges, $1.4 billion in foregone COLA for the 2020-21 school year and a $6.3 billion reduction in Prop 98 Minimum School Funding Guarantee revenues.
Specifically, Education Coalition leaders are urging the Legislature and Governor to adopt additional revenue streams, such as suspending or eliminating tax expenditures (which includes credits, deductions, exemptions, and exclusions), imposing additional taxes on high income individuals, or corporate tax changes. The Education Coalition looks forward to working with the Legislature and the Administration in identifying and securing these revenues.
To read or download the full press release, click here.