January 9, 2015

Governor Jerry Brown released his proposed 2015-16 State Budget, which proposes a new facilities program with a significantly reduced state role, and no state school bond or state funding for the current pipeline.

While details are far from flushed out, the general themes of the locally-funded school facility proposal are “Local Flexibility” and “Safety Net” (of some form).  It includes components that aim to address both objectives, including expanding local funding capacity, restructuring developer fees, expanding the use of Routine Restricted Maintenance Account (RRMA), targeting state funding to overcrowded districts, and augmenting the Charter School Facility Grant Program.

Concerning school maintenance funding and programs, the Governor’s proposal retains the requirement for districts to contribute to use the Routine Restricted Maintenance Account (RRMA), but expands the use of these already inadequate funds for modernization and new construction.  In addition, the 2015-16 State Budget includes $273.3 million for the Emergency Repair Program (ERP), which funds all remaining approved ERP projects.

Concerning next steps, the Budget states that the Administration is prepared to, “…engage with the Legislature and education stakeholders to shape a future state program that is focused on districts with the greatest need, while providing substantial new flexibility for local districts to raise the necessary resources for school facilities needs.”

C.A.S.H. staff is currently analyzing the proposal, and there will be much more detailed information to follow.  C.A.S.H. will hold two workshops next week on the budget and attendance is strongly encouraged.  The C.A.S.H. Budget Workshop: How Will the New Billions of State Revenue be Spent? will be held on Tuesday, January 13 in Sacramento and Friday, January 16 in Ontario.  Details can be found on the C.A.S.H. website at

http://www.cashnet.org/meetings/2015_Workshops/January15Workshops.html

~Ian Padilla