Each spring, the Governor releases an updated state budget proposal known as the “May Revise,” which adjusts earlier budget estimates based on updated number crunching (and any pressure from constituents!) The final budget will be confirmed by the Legislature in June, but the “May Revise” gives schools and educators important information to predict funding for the coming year.
👍 The good news:
Newsom’s updated budget reflects the collective pressure union educators have put on state leaders to invest in public schools. Proposed investments include more funding per student via a higher cost of living adjustment (COLA), increased Special Education funding, continued investment in community schools (something that SDEA members went to Sacramento to advocate for), and 14 weeks of paid pregnancy leave for educators statewide if AB 65 is signed into law (another years-long fight by union educators) Read more details from CTA.
👎 The bad news:
The Governor’s proposal still withholds $3.9 billion in constitutionally guaranteed Prop. 98 school funding, despite local and statewide pressure. SDEA leaders and staff are still working with CTA and the District to analyze how the proposed changes would impact San Diego Unified in particular – including the timing of when our agreed-upon retroactive $2.5 raise for 2025-26 will be paid out.
✊ The old news:
We know we’re going to need to keep fighting for public education at the state level. We also know that collective pressure has an impact… and that who we elect to public office makes a difference!
📣 The message to amplify:
We must continue to demand the governor and the legislature work together on a final budget that fully funds our schools and invests every dollar of Prop. 98 funds owed to California students. Call your legislators and demand they pass a final June budget that invests in our communities and the schools that anchor them! Stay tuned for a CTA action tool that will help connect you with your elected officials to share this message.
