Governor spares some public education in May updated budget plan

Governor Jerry Brown’s revised budget proposal is good news for some education sectors in the state, not so good for others.

The governor says he expects the state’s revenues to grow by more than $6.5 billion. That, and a state funding guarantee, is pushing him to propose sending $3 billion more to K-12 than they got this year.

The California Teachers Association commended the governor’s proposal. The vast majority of public school funding goes to teacher salaries. Officials of the state PTA were more reserved; they said this proposal stems the “tidal wave” of budget cuts schools have already endured.

The news is not good for the California State University and the University of California systems. Neither has a funding guarantee from the state. The governor’s proposal recommends that each system receive half a billion dollars less from the state next year.

Cal State’s chancellor said his system would have to cope with a “scorched earth” budget if lawmakers or voters don’t approve the governor’s proposed tax extensions. That could lead to a 32 percent tuition hike for Cal State students, the chancellor said.

The University of California is likely to follow suit with its own tuition increase.