California’s budget is ready and set to escalate funds for social programs – but not as much as some would’ve liked to see.
Jessica Calefati reports for The Mercury News: “Key deals struck in the final days of budget negotiations will finance preschool for all low-income 4-year-olds and overtime pay for in-home aides who care for the elderly and disabled. And spending on public schools is set to rise $5.6 billion -- a 10 percent increase over last year.”
“But many Democrats who voted for the plan said it was too skimpy considering that the state is flush with cash.”
Under an imminent midnight deadline, last minute trailer bills also made their way into the finalized state budget.
David Siders reports for the Sacramento Bee: “Among trailer bills lawmakers took up Sunday were items inserted with little public review in recent days, including controversial language capping the amount of money school districts may set aside for economic uncertainties if state-level reserves reach certain levels.”
“The measure, backed by California's influential teachers unions, was opposed by school administrators, and some Democrats who supported the proposal criticized the late hour at which it appeared.”
The forthcoming budget is the first to be composed under the leadership of Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins.
Melanie Mason reports for the Los Angeles Times: "I feel pretty good about tonight," Atkins told reporters Sunday evening after the Assembly had completed a series of budget votes. "We ensured there would be fiscal stability -- that was a key going into this whole budget process. And frankly, we were also able to expand opportunity and to look at some programs that are really important to Californians."
“Atkins said the negotiation process was "incredibly tame and fairly smooth compared to any other year."
The City of San Francisco is on track to approve the highest wage floor in the nation.
Lee Romney reports for the Los Angeles Times: “It comes as other citywide wage boosts are being crafted in Oakland, Berkeley and Richmond, which have shared some of the sting of San Francisco's soaring cost of living.”
“Unlike in Seattle, San Francisco employers would have to comply regardless of their companies' size and receive no credit for sick or healthcare pay they already provide. Workers who receive tips are included.”
California politicians have steered clear from uttering a word about the recent court ruling that found the state’s teacher tenure ruling unconstitutional.
Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross reports for The San Francisco Chonicle: “"Let's get real here. Do you really think they want to bite the hand that feeds them?" said Larry Gerston, a political science professor at San Jose State University.”
“The California Teachers Association and their allies in labor are a predominant source of money for both Gov. Brown and down-ballot Democrats in the state," Gerston noted. "To speak out in favor of the decision would set off a major rift. To speak out against it would undermine their standing as education reformers."”
Seven judges are at risk of seeing their pensions cut almost in half by legislation approved last week by a Senate committee.
Ed Mendel reports for Cal Pensions: “The bill exempting judges elected in 2012 from the Public Employees Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), which was pushed through the Legislature that year by Gov. Brown, only affects a handful of judges who had been working in the private sector.”
“Other new judges elected in 2012 worked in government and are not covered by the reform that took effect Jan. 1, 2013. Already in public pension systems, they joined the Judges Retirement System as transfers, not as new hires covered by the reform.”
Sacramento residents want to see more investment in their public libraries.
Will Wright reports for The Sacramento Bee: “Voters in the city of Sacramento earlier this month affirmed their support for public libraries by approving Measure B, a $12 annual tax on single-family homes in the city. The measure’s passage will provide city libraries with $1.9 million in additional funding for library staffing, operating hours, materials and technology. The tax will increase up to 3 percent each year based on inflation, and will sunset after 12 years.”
Work as a Starbucks barista? Now you can earn an online degree from Arizona State University.
Candice Choi reports for AP Food Industry: “The coffee chain is partnering with the school to offer the option to 135,000 U.S. employees who work at least 20 hours a week. The Seattle-based company says it will phase out its existing tuition reimbursement program, which gave workers up to $1,000 a year for education at certain schools.”
“The company says the program doesn't require workers to stay at Starbucks after they earn their degrees. They can also pick from a wide range of educational programs that aren't related to their Starbucks work.”