SEIU Local 99 Executive Director Courtni Pugh issued the following statement on the state budget proposal:
“The cafeteria workers, teaching assistants, custodians, child care providers, and other education workers of SEIU Local 99 believe it’s the basic civil right of every child—from pre-school to college—to receive a quality education in a safe, healthy, and supportive environment that recognizes their needs both inside and outside of the classroom.
“The Governor’s proposed 2014/15 budget for California continues to take some important steps toward realizing that civil right. Like last year’s budget, his proposal continues the process of rebuilding our preschools, schools, and community colleges after years of devastating budget cuts. We strongly urge that the nearly $10 billion being restored to K-14 budgets—combined with a plan to return $6.4 billion owed to our schools and colleges—be used to bring back the essential student services that have been slashed. We also must expand student access to quality after-school programs, nutritious meals, and crucial health services if we want children to succeed.
| Read coverage that includes our perspective here:Los Angeles Times: State budget plan includes $10 billion more for schools Long Beach Press Telegram: Long Beach Unified estimated to receive $60 million more under proposed state budget |
“What’s disappointing in this year’s initial proposal, given the significant increase in state resources, is the further elimination of children from quality child care programs. Governor Brown’s school funding formula introduced last year, which ensures our neediest schools receive more funding, will never accomplish its goals if California continues to neglect its early education system. Persistent education achievement gaps continue to widen. These gaps begin as early as 18 months and haunt children throughout their entire educational career. As our leaders hammer out a final budget in this year of budget surpluses, we urge Sacramento to bring back the 110,000 vulnerable young children who were kicked out of preschools and child care centers.
“And again, a return to pre-recession K-14 and child care spending is just an early step in the right direction. California was already behind before the recession hit. We were and remain among the bottom states in per-pupil spending. And for those lucky enough to make it to college, many never complete their course of study. We have the highest college drop-out rate in the developed world.
“We can and must do better for our children. California’s future depends upon it.”
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SEIU Local 99 is a union of nearly 45,000 education workers who provide services essential to student learning in K-12 schools, early education centers and homes, administrative offices, and community colleges throughout Southern California, including teacher aides, custodians, cafeteria workers, gardeners, bus drivers, child care providers, Head Start teachers, and others dedicated to serving the whole child. Nearly 50% of SEIU Local 99 members are also parents or guardians of school-age or preschool-age children.
Contact:
Blanca Gallegos
(213) 387-8393, ext. 219
(213) 500-9594 (cell)
