How the budget Jerry Brown just signed affects schools, marijuana and child care
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed a $183 billion state budget the veteran Democrat touted as an example of the state’s fiscal prudence amid “uncertain times.”
“California is taking decisive action by enacting a balanced state budget,” Brown said in a written statement. “This budget provides money to repair our roads and bridges, pay down debt, invest in schools, fund the earned income tax credit and provide Medi-Cal health care for millions of Californians.”
A look at where some of the money is going:
How much is going to schools?
California’s budget spends a record $74.5 billion on schools and community colleges, an increase of more than $3 billion compared to this year.
State money to schools has jumped by $27 billion over six years.
There are essentially two main pots of funding that districts can use however they see fit – from salary increases to the added cost of doing business.
Nearly $1.4 billion will continue into future years. There also is another nearly $900 million in so-called one-time money, which comes out to about $147 per student.
Not every school district will come out ahead, however, despite the increases. Some dealing with pension obligations and other costs still are not expected to make up the financial gaps.
What about university tuition increases?
The budget for the University of California and California State University assumes tuition increases previously approved by both systems.
Tuition, the first in the last six years, will grow by more than $280 yearly at the UC and $270 at Cal State.
While most students and their families will have to pay more, some with family incomes that meet the threshold and criteria, based on family size, assets and the student’s GPA, qualify for grants that compensate for the tuition increases. Other state financial aid programs are available to families making more.
At CSUs, the state university grant waives tuition for many students who don’t receive a Cal Grant tuition award. UC has a plan it says will ensure students won’t have to pay tuition and fees out of their own pockets if they are California residents whose total family incomes are less than $80,000 a year.
The budget also calls for modest spending on students in both systems who can’t afford food.