Lobbyist Report as of June 29, 2005

 

 

LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR PUT FINISHING TOUCHES ON STATE BUDGET

 

Although the Assembly and the Senate defeated one version of the budget, Legislative leaders are in negotiations to pass a budget in time for the Governor to sign it by the July 1 deadline.  The Assembly voted 45-32 in favor of the Democratic version of the budget, falling nine votes short of the two-thirds support needed from its 80 members.  The Senate also fell short, on a 25-13 vote.  

 

The Democratic version of the budget embraced many of the Governor’s proposed cuts and programs; however, the differences resulted in more than $1 billion of additional spending and several billion in out year spending.   

 

Shortly after voting on the budget, the Assembly also rejected a separate proposal to raise taxes on the state's highest income earners to provide more money for schools.  This bill, which also required a two-thirds vote, failed to win any Republican support and fell eight votes short.

 

We are happy to report that this version of the budget rejects the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the STRS defined benefit funding shift of $469 million.  The budget also provides $120 million for the AB 3632 Mandate reimbursement and rejects the Governor’s proposal to transfer school mental health responsibility to the schools. 

 

We are also very happy to report that the budget conference committee agreed to the $10 million funding level of last year for the Early Mental Health Initiative, (EMHI).  We expect this to stay in the final version of the budget.  The Governor could use his “blue pencil” authority and reduce or eliminate the funding.  We are meeting with the Administration to keep this from happening and to date have had position feedback. 

 

As most of you know, EMHI funded programs are a low-cost method of directly helping children become ready to learn.  Under this program, the State awards grants to Local Education Agencies to implement early mental health intervention and prevention programs for students in K-grade 3.  Schools that receive grants must also provide at least a 50 percent match to the funding provided by the Department of Mental Health.  Schools use the funds to employ child aides who work with students to enhance the student’s social and emotional development.  Students must have parental permission to participate in the program.  The intervention provided by EMHI can have immediate impact on the child, the classroom, and the school environment.  The long-range effects can last a lifetime.  Maintaining a level of funding will ensure the continuity of critical support offered to elementary school children. 

 

CASP has treated EMHI funding as one of our highest budget priorities.  The $10 million dollars will provide for $5 million for continuing grants and $5 million for new grants.

 

AB 171 authored by Assemblyman Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) would create the Comprehensive Pupil Learning Support System.  Assemblyman Yee has reached out to CASP and the Pupil Services Coalition to help craft the language.  He accepted language on our behalf to encourage the creation of Pupil Support Service Teams in school districts.    The bill passed the Assembly Education Committee but was held for the year in the Appropriations Committee and is now a two year bill.  We have not given up and have met with Assemblyman Yee on how we move forward on his bill in the future.