Sacramento, CA — CFT – A Union of Educators and Classified Professionals president Jeff Freitas released the following statement on Governor Gavin Newsom’s updated budget proposal for the 2022-2023 fiscal year:

“Governor Newsom has proven yet again his commitment to public school students and workers in his revised budget proposal. For years we have called for substantial increases in the base funding for our K-14 schools and colleges, and with this budget Governor Newsom has taken an important step towards that goal.

“With these funds, along with additional one-time targeted spending, we are giving our students the opportunities they need to succeed. This record budget is especially significant for our most vulnerable students. The proposal to add another $1.5 billion to expand community schools would bring the state’s total investment to $4.5 billion, providing transformative opportunities to high poverty communities.

“We further applaud the $8 billion in proposed K-12 discretionary funding that can help address student learning challenges, school staffing levels, pension costs, mental health and wellness of students and staff, and other priorities. 

“We commend Governor Newsom for maintaining his proposal for $200 million in ongoing funding for part-time community college faculty healthcare. These funds will be critical to ensure that our part-time faculty have access to quality, affordable healthcare and they are a vital first step in ending the two-tier system that mistreats adjunct faculty.

“We look forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor’s office to continue to build upon these record investments to address ongoing issues that we face in our public schools – including addressing the staffing crisis in K-12 schools, teacher recruitment, growing mental health needs of students and staff, and pay parity for part-time faculty in our community colleges.”

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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.