Sacramento Scene: Uncertainty Looms Over Education Funding in Sacramento

By Matt Patton

Everyone in Sacramento is holding their breath, awaiting the May Revision of the California State Budget. Currently, funding for education, specifically Career Technical Education, is the status quo, but as California’s tax revenue fails to meet projected levels, there is a concern for future budgets.The California Agricultural Teachers’ Association is following the below bills. If passed, these bills would immediately affect Agricultural and Career Technical Education.

AB 1189 (Gibson) – This bill would, starting in the 2024–25 school year, require each school district maintaining any of grades 7 to 12, to offer Career Technical Education to all pupils in those grades. 

AB 377 (Muratsuchi and McCarty) – If passed, this bill would consolidate the K12-Strong Work Force Grant program and the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) programs. If consolidated, $450 million would be allocated to CTEIG annually. 

AB 1370 (Ta) – This bill would revise several parts of the California Community Colleges Economic and Workforce Development Program. The bill would extend operation of the program indefinitely and would repeal the Job Development Incentive Training Program.

SAE Projects and Prop 12: Navigating New Requirements

By Matt Patton

This article is a partial summary of Proposition 12. This article is meant to explain the aspects of Proposition 12 that most affect agricultural teachers when working with students and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects. For full details on this topic, visit CDFA’s Animal Care Program.

Prop 12 History

Proposition 12 was passed by California Voters in 2018 and deals with animal confinement. This law requires producers who house animals in confinement adhere to minimum standards for movement, cage-free design, and minimum floor space. In addition, the law includes guidelines for calves, breeding pigs, and laying hens.

Supreme Court and Prop 12

Currently, the US Supreme Court has taken up the legality of Prop 12. Several groups representing the pork industry challenged the legality of Prop 12 as it relates to interstate commerce. The court has heard arguments and will submit a ruling by June 2023. But regardless of the outcome, California producers will be subject to the standards of Prop 12. Whether or not out-of-state producers follow the same regulations is up to the supreme court.

Notable Exceptions to Prop 12

There are several acceptable exceptions to the confinement requirements built into the law. The exceptions that are most applicable to ag teachers are listed below. The entire list of exceptions can be found in Article 4 Exceptions page 36.

Article 4 Exceptions Section 1324.1. Confinement Standards Exceptions

• During examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes.
• During transportation.
• During rodeo exhibitions, state or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs, and similar exhibitions.
• To a breeding pig during the five days prior to the breeding pig’s expected date of giving birth and any day that the breeding pig is nursing piglets.
• During temporary periods for animal husbandry purposes for no more than six hours in any 24 hours, and no more than 24 hours total in any 30 days.

Prop 12 Fairs and Expositions

Confinement of livestock at fairs and expositions is exempt from the space limitations outlined in Prop 12. The issue that fairs face is that of working with processing plants for hogs. Traditionally the processing plants in California have been supportive of working with fairs. Those plants work with the fair because they support 4-H and FFA programs and are willing to take on additional logistics and costs to accommodate. Prop 12 would take that accommodation to an entirely new level. Packing plants have expressed concern about the increase in paperwork and administrative costs that the program could have specific to fairs and expositions. Buying a load of hogs from a single producer would result in one Prop 12 compliance document. Buying a load of hogs from a fair could result in 500 individual Prop 12 compliance documents that would have to follow all cuts of meat from 500 hogs.

To deal with this challenge fairs are working with processors to streamline the process. A common solution that has been adopted across the state is for fairs to collect individual documentation on Prop 12 compliance from exhibitors and then supply one letter of compliance for the entire load of hogs from the fair.

Fairs need to make arrangements with the processing plants used to process hogs and come to a workable agreement to meet the Prop 12 requirements with the least amount of administrative work for the processor.

Proof of Prop 12 Compliance

Hog producers are now required to show Prop 12 Compliance. That compliance check for the first part of 2023 will be self-reported by completing Complaint Form – ACP-73-001. This type of reporting is required until “further notice” from CDFA. After the self-report phase is complete, adherence to Prop 12 will require a third-party review and certification.

For now, ag teachers and FFA students should have producers fill out the Compliant Form and note that completion on their bill of sale when purchasing show hogs. Retroactively creating a paper trail of Prop 12 compliance is much more complex and could create problems at the fair. Having this step checked off at the time of purchase will eliminate issues in the future.

School Farm Livestock Breeding Projects and SAE Projects

If a school farm or FFA student produces show pigs to be sold or provided to 4-H or FFA members, they should fill out Complaint Form – ACP-73-001. Self-reporting and filling out a compliance form will reduce delays and hassles for students at fairs and exhibitions.

Sacramento Scene: Newsom’s Budget Maintains Public School Funding Despite Projected Economic Troubles

By Matt Patton

The California economy is projected to take a downturn, and as a result, the California Proposed Budget is a bit more conservative than the previous two years. However, despite the slowed economy, the current budget maintains most education funding levels without withdrawing from the Public School Systems Stabilization Account (PSSSA). The PSSSA account is a rainy day fund established to help maintain constant levels of funding for education in California.

K-12 Education

The January proposed budget allocation for Proposition 98 (K-14 Education) funding for the 2023-2024 academic school year is $108.8 billion. This amount is a $1.5 billion decrease from the 2022 Budget Act. Despite the overall decrease, per pupil spending will actually increase on account of the continued decline in public school enrollment throughout the state.

Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and full-day Kindergarten continue to be a priority for Governor Newsom and these programs see continued support in the 2023-24 proposed budget.

The budget also addresses the shortage of teachers in the state by providing resources to the Golden State Teacher Grant program, the Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Program, National Board Certification Incentive Program, and funding to waive teacher examination fees for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The passage of Proposition 28 in 2022 by a majority of California voters established the Arts and Music in Schools – Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. This act requires that one percent of Prop 98 funds be allocated to schools for art and music instruction. As a result, the proposed 2023-24 California State Budget includes $941 million to fund prop 28.

Higher Education 

This year’s budget continues the multi-year commitment to higher education to increase access and support workforce preparedness. The governor has allocated $40.3 billion to the three higher education segments: UC, CSU, and Community College.  

Both the CSU and UC systems will see increased Base Growth funding of over $200 million. In addition, the Community College system will also receive an 8% cost-of-living increase.  

Despite these increases, the post-secondary education system faces an ongoing decrease in enrollment, adversely affecting their bottom line. Therefore, maintaining and increasing enrollment will continue to be a significant issue for colleges of all levels.

Legislative Process

The following bills are pertinent to agricultural and career technical education and will be followed during the legislative cycle by CATA.

AB 377 (Muratsuchi and McCarty) – Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Programs and Strong Work Force Program consolidation. If passed, this bill would consolidate Strong Work Force Program funding, making the CTEIG allocation $450 million annually. Funding would be available in the 2024-25 fiscal year. This is a bill that has been circulated for the last three years.

AB 368 (Holden) – College and Career Access Pathways partnership. Existing law authorizes community college districts to enter into a College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) partnership with a school district to develop seamless pathways from high school to community college for CTE. If passed, this bill would make no substantive changes to existing law. This bill aims to clean up language. 

AB 359 (Holden) – College and Career Access Pathways partnership. If passed, this bill would appropriate an unspecified sum from General Funds to the California Department of Education and the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to provide technical assistance for CCAP partnerships. 

Sacramento Scene: Governor Newsom’s Cautionary Message

By Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

Since the end of the legislative session on August 31, Governor Newsom has vetoed at least 18 bills, citing looming fiscal concerns. Veto messages from the Governor all contain a similar explanation: “With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined.” (Newsom, 2022).

Income tax revenue has been coming in at 11% below projected levels since the beginning of the year (Christopher, 2022). Lower than anticipated tax revenues are calculated at $4.4 billion thus far. Lost income tax and capital gains revenues are to blame for the shortfall. 

Newsom has communicated that bills totaling $30 billion in one-time and ongoing funding have landed on his desk. The additional $30 billion was not part of the budget that was approved in June. The bills included program costs that were not budgeted (Nixon, 2022). 

California’s tax system relies on high-income earners, with the top 1% of California taxpayers contributing 49% of income tax in the state. Capital gain taxes on stock, homes and other investments contributed to the state’s surplus income in recent years. Many of California’s top earners did well during the pandemic, which increased state revenue. However, those earnings are starting to slow (Nixon, 2022). 

The California Department of Finance warned in May that surplus budgets, which Californians have experienced over the last few years, would not last forever. The war in Ukraine, inflation, continued supply chain challenges, increased interest rates by the feds, and a decreasing stock market will reduce revenue to the state (Nixon, 2022). 

During the surplus budgets of the last two years, plans were made for leaner days. Currently, California has $37 billion in reserve accounts and $23 billion in the Rainy Day Fund (Holden, 2022). 

Nothing is inevitable, but numerous indicators forecast a change in California’s overabundance of tax revenue. California’s Reserves are robust. However, current revenue below projected levels will result at minimum in the status quo and at maximum fiscal reductions in programs. 

Sacramento Scene: 2022 Legislative Session Closes, Fate of Bills Decided

By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

As the clock struck midnight on August 31, the 2021-22 legislative session ended. The session started eight months ago. All passed bills are now sent to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Newsom has until the end of September to sign or veto the bills. The national media will scrutinize these signings as many suspect he may run for national office in 2024 (CalMatters Staff, 2022).

The following is a list of bills related to education that impact agricultural education and their fate in the 2022 legislative session. 

AB 1705 (Irwin) – The bill limits remedial English and Math classes that could be required for transfer from a Community College. In addition, the bill outlines stricter rules on when community colleges are allowed to enroll students in remedial classes. Community colleges are expected to enroll most students in transfer-level classes if signed. 

AB 2044 (O’Donnell) – The bill would extend the option for students to fulfill state high school graduation requirements by completing a Career Technical Education (CTE) course until 2027. This bill died in the Senate for reasons unrelated to its contents. However, language from this bill was inserted into an education budget trailer bill, ensuring the continued implementation of CTE classes counting toward graduation requirements. Assembly Member O’Donnell is not seeking re-election.

AB 2273 (Wicks, Cunningham, and Petrie-Norris) – Establishes the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, which generally requires businesses that provide online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by children to comply with specified standards. The bill is waiting for the Governor’s signature. This could expand online accessibility for students at school.

AB 2088 (Cooper) – This bill, if passed, would establish the California Pilot Paid Internship Program. The program would provide grants to establish or expand internship programs within CTE courses or pathways. Unfortunately, AB 2088 failed to get out of the Assembly. The bill’s author, Assembly Member Cooper, is leaving the Assembly to become Sacramento County Sheriff.

AB 2617 (Holden) – This bill seeks to establish a grant program to increase participation in dual enrollment programs at local education agencies. The bill did not make it out of committee as it was held in submission. This action could allow the bill to be brought up again next session. 
The next significant political activity will be California’s November ballot. Because of redistricting and a mass exit of representatives, several Senate and Assembly seats are up for grabs. Governor Newsom and Superintendent of Public Instruction Thurmond are both up for re-election. Additionally, there will be an education-related ballot measure to vote on. Proposition 28 would set aside funding for arts and music at the secondary level. If passed, the funds from this proposition would be disproportionately reserved for low-income schools to hire staff (Christopher and Kamal, 2022). 

Sacramento Scene: End of Service on the Horizon for Champions of AgEd

By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

The California Legislature returned from summer break on August 1 and has until the end of the month to pass bills within the legislative cycle. All bills passed by both houses then land on the Governor’s desk. August 31 at midnight is the deadline for all bills. Then the Governor has three courses of action on all bills that have passed both houses: he can sign the bill into law; he can allow it to become law without a signature; or he can veto the bill. The Governor’s veto can be overruled by a two-thirds vote of the Assembly and Senate (County Supervisor’s Resource Guide).

Fall will be the end of service for a record number of legislators. Congressional opportunities, redistricting, and expiring term limits have contributed to the Legislative “Great Resignation” of 2022. After the November election of the 120 legislators in California, 33 will be new. Among those leaving the capital are many friends of agricultural education. Assembly Member O’Donnell, Education Chair and champion of Career Technical Education (CTE), will return to the classroom to teach Civics in Long Beach. Former Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Rancho Mirage may run for Congress. Andreas Borgias, a Republican from Fresno, and Jordan Cunningham of San Luis Obispo will not seek another term. Adam Gray, an Assembly Member from Merced, is running for Congress, and Jim Cooper from Elk Grove won an election to become the Sacramento County Sheriff. Assembly Member Frank Bigelow from Madera is also not seeking reelection. Another notable exit is Keely Martin Bosler, who is stepping down as Director of the Finance Department. Those are just a few of our friends that have or will leave their state leadership positions in the coming months.

As the legislative session winds down, a few notable bills are still being tracked by the California Agricultural Teacher’s Association. Click here to read more.

Those bills are listed below.

AB 2044 (O’Donnell) – This bill extends the sunset on the option for students to fulfill a state high school graduation requirement by successfully completing a Career Technical Education (CTE) course until July 1, 2027. In addition, this act would amend the Education Code relating to graduation requirements. 

AB 2088 (Copper) – Career technical education: California Pilot Paid Internship Program. This program would establish the California Pilot Paid Internship Program, which allocates $575 million to the California Department of Education to provide grants that establish or expand public-private paid internship programs for students. 

AB 2617 (Holden) – Dual Enrollment Programs: Competitive Grant. If enacted, this bill would appropriate $500,000 in a competitive grant program to start up middle college or early college high schools that promote dual enrollment. 

AB 2573 (McCarty) – Certificated School Employees: Probationary Employees: If passed, this bill would require certificated employees of a school district or a county superintendent of schools, regardless of the average daily attendance of the school or district, to be given permanent employee status after two consecutive years of employment.

Sacramento Scene: Sustainably Funded Education Still Wise in Times of Abundance

By Matt Patton

June is a busy time at the State Capitol. The California State Budget negotiations are in full swing. The budget must be passed by June 15th, and everyone is vying for a piece of the nearly 100-billion-dollar surplus before that deadline passes.

The Governor’s and Legislature’s plans differ significantly in how much of the state’s surplus budget should be divided between ongoing and one-time funding (Fensterwald, 2022).

First, Governor Newsom released the May revised budget. Then in June, the Legislature released their draft 2022-23 State Budget. Unfortunately, the two budgets do not align. The suggested legislative budget allocates school districts and charter schools an additional $4.5 billion than the budget proposed by Newsom. This district funding increase would come at the expense of some of Governor Newsom’s favored proposals like early literacy and additional reading specialists in schools (Fensterwald, 2022).

Regardless of the negotiations, education is poised to see historic increases in per-pupil spending and available resources for students. An increase in the Agriculture Incentive Grant, an extension of Prop 51 facilities spending, and the continued inclusion of $450 million in dedicated Career Technical Education funding are all in play. 

These differences in the budget need a resolution by June 15th. On that date, the budget must pass. The Governor then has 12 days to sign it (Senate Publications, 2002). 

Times are good, and funding is abundant, but the current state of the economy looms on the horizon. The California Legislature and the Governor have filled the rainy-day funds in anticipation of less prosperous budgets. However, we all must be mindful of possible leaner times and plan accordingly. Building sustainably funded programs and anticipating a time of less abundance would be prudent. 

Sacramento Scene: Change on the Horizon

By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

May is an active time in the state’s Capitol. The “May Revise,” a modified proposed budget composed using current revenues, was released by the Governor on May 14th. Legislative subcommittees have approximately two weeks to consider the proposed changes to the budget and negotiate its contents. Additionally, the movement of bills increases in the legislature as the June deadline for passage looms closer. 

These are intriguing times around the Capitol. The focus has moved away from the pandemic and is now focused on the volatile economy. In addition, a large group of legislators is readying to leave the building as they have termed out or are not seeking re-election. The June 7th Special General Elections and Primaries are on the horizon. Additionally, campaigning for the November 8th General Election is heating up.

Below is a list of bills tracked by CATA that relate directly to agricultural and career technical education. As these bills move, CATA supports those beneficial to the profession and opposes those that are detrimental. These actions of support and opposition take the form of meeting with legislative members and staff, written and oral testimonies at hearings, and working with other like-minded advocates toward a shared outcome.

Current Bills of Interest

AB 2044 (O’Donnell) – An act to amend the Education Code relating to career technical education classes and graduation requirements. Currently, the statute in the Education Code allows high school students to use Career Technical Education (CTE) courses to meet graduation requirements. Passage of this bill would extend this statute for another five years.  

AB 2058 (O’Donnell) – Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Programs and Strong Work Force Program consolidation. This bill would consolidate Strong Work Force Program funding if passed, making the CTEIG allocation $450 million annually. Funding would be available in the 2022-23 fiscal year. 

AB 2617 (Holden) – Dual Enrollment Programs: Competitive Grant. This bill would appropriate $500,000 in a competitive grant program to startup middle college or early college high schools that promote dual enrollment.

AB 2088 (Copper) – Career Technical Education: California Pilot Paid Internship Program. This program would establish the California Pilot Paid Internship Program, which allocates $575 million to the California Department of Education to provide grants that establish or expand public-private paid internship programs for students. 

SB 871 (Pan) – Public Health: Immunizations. This bill, if enacted, would add COVID-19 vaccinations to the list of required immunizations needed to attend public or private elementary or secondary schools. The author has put this bill on hold. This hold shelves the bill, and it will no longer progress through the legislative process.

Other Governmental ActionsCOVID-19 Vaccine requirements for California Schools has been postponed – The California Public Health department announced that COVID-19 vaccines will not be required for students during the 2022-2023 school year.  This action has been postponed to be revisited for 2024.

Sacramento Scene: Significant Months Ahead

By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

Term limits, redistricting, and numerous political opportunities outside the state capitol have prompted the exit, or planned exit, of a decade-high number of legislators this year. 26 assembly members and state senators have opted not to run in November or have already left their offices. Added to that number are seven senate members that will term out in 2022.

Currently, four vacant assembly seats will be filled with a specialized April Election, and Assemblymember Fong of Los Angeles was elected on February 15 in a similar special election. 

Among these lawmakers exiting the capitol are many friends of agricultural education. Assemblymember O’Donnell, Education Chair and champion of Career Technical Education (CTE), has plans to return to the classroom to teach Civics. Former Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Rancho Mirage may run for Congress. Andreas Borgeas, a Republican from Fresno, and Jordan Cunningham of San Luis Obispo will not seek another term. Adam Gray, the Assemblymember from Merced, is running for Congress, and Jim Cooper from Elk Grove is running for Sacramento Sheriff. Assemblymember Frank Bigelow from Madera is also not seeking reelection. Those are just a few of our friends that have or will leave the state capitol. After the November election of the 120 legislators in California, 33 will be new.

Several of the lawmakers mentioned above are trying to finalize their legislative priorities before exiting the capitol. Some of the bills below are authored by departing lawmakers pushing final agendas. All the below bills that will have impacts on agricultural and CTE education are being tracked by CATA.

AB 2058 (O’Donnell)  – Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) Programs and Strong Work Force Program Consolidation. If passed this bill would consolidate Strong Work Force Program funding, making the CTEIG allocation $450 million annually. Funding would be available in the 2022-23 fiscal year. 

AB 2617 (Holden) – Dual Enrollment Programs: Competitive Grant. If enacted, this bill would appropriate $500,000 in a competitive grant program to start-up middle college or early college high schools that promote dual enrollment. 

AB 2088 (Copper) – Career technical education: California Pilot Paid Internship Program. This program would establish the California Pilot Paid Internship Program, which allocates $575 million to the California Department of Education, to provide grants that establish or expand public-private paid internship programs for students. 

May and June are significant months in the legislative process. The revised budget will be released in May. This document, known as the “May Revise,” will incorporate up-to-date state revenue tax information. This revised budget will be scrutinized by the legislature, and negotiations will ensue. The 2022-23 California State Budget will ultimately be voted on by both the assembly and senate.

The legislative cycle for bills concludes in June. All bills that pass the assembly and senate will be sent to the governor’s desk for approval. There will be a clear picture of what things will look like for the upcoming year by this year’s CATA Summer Conference.

The California State Budget Process

By: Matt Patton, CATA Executive Director

The California State Budget Process

January and February mark the beginning of the budget adoption process in California for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The following is a summary of the process that drives budgets for school districts across California for the next fiscal year. 

Governor Newsom introduced the proposed budget for California in January, and now both the Senate and Assembly get to analyze, comment, and amend the budget. The legislative review of the budget starts in January and usually wraps up in June. The budget must be passed on June 15 at midnight. The California State Constitution constrains a large portion of the budget. For example, in the education portion of the budget, Proposition 98 sets funding levels for pre-kindergarten to community college.

After an initial evaluation by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, the proposed budget is divided into broad subject matters such as Education, Health, and State Administration. Then the subcommittees in these subject areas hold public hearings, debate, and modify the original budget.

On May 14, the governor will release the “May Revise” budget. This budget version will reflect the changes in state revenues since January. At that point, subcommittees have about a week to consider the proposed changes.

Ultimately negotiations between the Senate, Assembly, and Governor’s Office will result in an agreed-upon budget plan that will be voted on by both branches of the legislature and signed by the Governor. 

Below are the items included in the current legislative cycle that could impact agricultural education in California. 

Proposed California Education Budget Changes for 2022-23

K-12 School Facilities

To offset the sun setting of Proposition 51 funding (bond for school facility construction), the January proposed budget includes $1.3 billion in 2022-23 and $925 million in 2023-24 for school facilities.

Agricultural Incentive Grant (AIG) Augmentation 

The proposed January budget allocates $2 million in ongoing funding for the AIG. If implemented, this would put the AIG allocation at its highest level since the establishment of the program. In the 2013-14 budget, the AIG was reduced from $5.157 million to $4.134 million (2013-14 CA Budget).

California Community Colleges (CCC)

It is proposed to give CCC an increase of $409.4 million in ongoing Prop 98 funding to provide a 5.33 % cost of living increase and a $24.9 million augmentation for enrollment growth.

University of California (UC) System

The UC system is set to receive an increase of $200.5 million in ongoing general funding for operating costs. Additionally, an increase of $67.8 million to support California resident undergraduate student enrollment.

California State University (CSU) System 

The CSU system is slated for an increase of $211.1 million in ongoing funding for CSU operating costs. Additionally, there is a proposed one-time allocation of $50 million for equipment and infrastructure at CSU university farms.

Developments in Legislation and Regulations Affecting Agricultural Education 

SB 871 (Pan) – Keep Schools Open and Safe Act. If enacted, this bill would add COVID-19 to the list of mandatory vaccines necessary to attend school. Currently, students are required to be vaccinated against Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenza, measles, mumps, whooping cough, Poliomyelitis, Rubella, Tetanus, and Varicella.

Proposition 12 – The Sacramento County Superior Court recently ruled on Proposition 12 enforcement on the sales of whole-pork meat in California. The court ruling delays the implementation of Prop 12 regulations on pork until 180 days after the final regulations are enacted (Ostendorf, 2022). Currently, the California Department of Food and Agriculture is revising the Prop 12 regulations. The revised regulations are set to be released in April or July of 2022.