Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement on the California state budget, which will be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom later today:

“The education budget signed by Governor Newsom today represents a historic investment in our K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities,” said CFT president Jeff Freitas. “The record funding will enable us to address critical issues facing our students and our schools – including continuing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and worsening staffing shortages.”

Highlights of the budget include:

• 13% increase in LCFF funding for K-12 schools with help to mitigate impacts on COVID-related absences
• $7.9 billion block grant for learning recovery
• $3.6 billion for arts, music, and instructional materials
• An additional $1.1 billion in funding for K-12 community schools
• 6.56% COLA and $600 increase in base funding for our community college system
• Major reforms improving access to the Cal Grant program
• 5% increase in UC funding.
• $13 million ongoing funding for UC Labor Centers
• And much more for schools and working families

“After months of organizing by thousands of CFT members throughout the state, we are thrilled to see Governor Newsom and the California Legislature commit $200 million in ongoing, yearly funding for healthcare for part-time community college faculty in the state budget,” continues Freitas.

“Part-time faculty represent an overwhelming majority of our faculty in our community college system, providing a quality education to millions of California students. Yet for too long they have been exploited with low pay, lack of job security, and inadequate or non-existent healthcare.

“This victory for part-time faculty will mean thousands of hard-working educators will be able to access quality, affordable healthcare for themselves and their families, enabling them to better meet the needs of the students they serve. We look forward to working with the Governor’s office and legislative leaders to make critical program changes to the Part-time Faculty Health Insurance Program to ensure healthcare benefits get to the faculty who need it most.

“Even with the historic investment in our schools, we are still outside the top ten of states for per pupil spending. We must continue to organize to bring the resources to our schools that our students deserve.”

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CFT — A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals represents 120,000 teachers, faculty, and school employees in public and private schools and colleges, from early childhood through higher education. It is the statewide affiliate of the AFT, AFL-CIO.