(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance released the following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown’s revised proposed 2017-18 state budget.
“Governor Brown’s revised budget proposal includes a number of encouraging changes that expand key investments in education — from early education to K-12 education to higher education. I am especially encouraged by the Governor’s restoration of roughly $500 million for child care and preschool programs and his commitment to fully fund K-12 schools under Proposition 98.”
“In spite of the Governor’s continued plan to eliminate the Middle Class Scholarship, Assembly Democrats and I are committed to expanding college access and affordability through the Degrees Not Debt plan. This will be the year when we make the first year of community college free for every California student. This will be the year when we protect the Middle Class Scholarship. And this will be the year when California takes the most progressive steps yet toward making debt-free college a reality.”
“I look forward to working with the Governor, my legislative colleagues and the public in the coming weeks to craft a fiscally responsible, balanced and on -time budget that affirms our commitment to public education, quality early education and access to affordable higher education for all Californians.”
Governor Brown’s $179.5 billion budget includes proposed K-12 spending of $92.3 billion and proposed higher education spending of $33 billion in 2017-18. The California Constitution requires the Budget Act be approved by June 15, 2017.
A summary of Governor Brown’s full budget proposal can be viewed here: http://ebudget.ca.gov/
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Kevin McCarty represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which include the cities of Sacramento, West Sacramento and unincorporated Sacramento County. McCarty serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.
CONTACT: Terry Schanz, (916) 319-2007