February 2, 2016
Kindergarten through Community College Public Education Facilities Bond Act of
2016
In response to the lack of state funding for school facilities, the Coalition for Adequate
School Housing (C.A.S.H.) has qualified a State School Bond for the November 2016
statewide General Election ballot. C.A.S.H. will proceed with its State School Bond on the
General Election ballot in November 2016.
The 2016 State School Bond would provide $9 billion for New Construction ($3 billion) and
Modernization ($3 billion) projects, as well as Career Technical Education ($500 million),
Charter Schools ($500 million), and Community Colleges ($2 billion).
In addition to the State School Bond, there will be multiple initiatives on the November 8,
2016 Statewide General Election Ballot. We need to rise above the fray! We need every
school district and county office to pass a resolution in support of the 2016 State School
Bond. Attached is a sample resolution.
Thank you to all of the school districts and county offices of education that have passed the
school board resolutions supporting the 2016 State School Bond. In 96 resolutions received,
we have noted over $17 billion in need. We must pass the 2016 State School Bond!
To date, we have received the following endorsements from statewide leaders and elected
officials:
- Tom Torlakson, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Delaine Eastin, Former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Jack O’Connell, Former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- The Honorable John Burton
- Joan Buchanan, Former State Assembly Education Committee Chair
- Kristin Olsen, Former California Assembly Republican Leader
- Chad Mayes, California Assembly Republican Leader
- Luis Alejo, Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus
- Ian Calderon, California State Assembly
- Jim Cooper, California State Assembly
- Lorena Gonzalez, California State Assembly
For more information or to contribute, please visit www.cashissuesstateschoolbond.com.
We look forward to your continuing support to pass the State School Bond on November 8,
2016.
State Budget Proposal 2016-17: No School Bond or New School Facilities Program
The Governor released his 2016-17 State Budget Proposal on January 7, 2016, and the
proposed budget does not include a proposal for a school bond. In the proposal, he restates
his previous proposals on K-12 school facilities that were included in his last three State
Budgets. The Governor also referenced the Californians for Quality Schools (CQS)
initiative, objecting to the fact that it does not make changes to the existing School Facility
Program (SFP), and that it would add an additional $500 million in General Fund debt
service. When asked directly if he supported the CQS initiative in his press conference, he
stopped short of opposing it.
Concerning his programmatic priorities, the Governor reiterated his argument that
“California needs a new program that corrects the deficiencies of the existing program,” and
that, “…the Department of Finance (DOF) convened a series of meetings to discuss a new
facilities program and obtain feedback from education stakeholders.” It is worth noting that
the changes the Governor proposes can be accomplished by administrative action.
C.A.S.H. is pleased that key stakeholders are continuing to discuss the need for a solution to
California’s school facility needs; C.A.S.H. will proceed with our State School Bond
initiative and continue to advocate for adequate funding for school facilities on behalf of
California’s students.
Other Key Budget Issues
Drought
The Governor proposes an additional $323.1 million ($212.1 million General Fund) in onetime
funds to continue immediate response to the drought. These funds are proposed for
programs across various agencies and departments.
Proposition 39
The Governor proposes $365.4 million to support K-12 school districts and charter school
energy projects, subject to California Energy Commission (CEC) plan approval in 2016-17.
The proposal also includes an increase of $45.2 million to support community college
energy efficiency projects clean energy job development programs.
Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan
The Governor proposes a $3.1 billion Cap-and-Trade Expenditure Plan that will “reduce
GHG emissions through programs that support clean transportation, reduce short-lived
climate pollutants, protect natural ecosystems, and benefit disadvantaged communities.”
The Plan funds programs across various state agencies in categories such as “50 Percent
Reduction in Petroleum Use” and “Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy.” Addressing
climate change will continue to be one of the Governor’s priorities.
General Summary and One-Time Discretionary Funds
The 2016-17 State Budget Proposal includes $122.6 billion in General Fund spending, a
5.6% increase over the current year. While revenues are up and the economic condition is
positive, the Governor emphasized the need to plan for the next inevitable downturn by
avoiding new permanent spending, favoring one-time uses for additional revenues. For
example, he proposes an extra $2 billion payment to the Rainy Day Fund, for a total of $3.7
billion. The budget includes an additional $5.4 billion for K-14 education, including an
additional $2.8 billion investment in the Local Control Funding Formula, an increase of
5.4%. Concerning One-Time Discretionary Funds, the Governor proposes an increase of
more than $1.2 billion in one-time Proposition 98 General Funds for school districts, charter
schools, and county offices of education to use at local discretion, for items such as
technology, professional development, deferred maintenance, etc.
Legislation – Bill Introductions
The legislative deadline for introducing bills is February 19, and new bills have been and
will continue to be introduced until this deadline. The C.A.S.H. Legislative Advisory
Committee (Chaired by Rob Pierce, C.A.S.H. Board Member, Elk Grove USD) will meet
during the C.A.S.H. Annual Conference to review and discuss bills that C.A.S.H. has
identified as significant for the school facilities community.
SB 47 (Hill) – Crumb Rubber/Artificial Turf
- Introduced last year, this bill would have prohibited the use of crumb rubber on artificial turf fields (subsequent amendments would have required getting bids for alternatives to crumb rubber).
- C.A.S.H. opposed the bill based on the fact that existing research has not demonstrated that the use of crumb rubber is a health threat, that many schools are using artificial turf and crumb rubber as part of their drought mitigation strategy, and that the bill would increase costs for schools.
- The bill died in committee last year, but was resurrected and amended with new content in the second week of this Legislative Session. C.A.S.H. took an Oppose Unless Amended position, arguing that a state study is currently being conducted by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to determine the health effects of crumb rubber – making policy before the results of the study are available is putting the cart before the horse.
- The bill now proposes for districts to do the following: 1) Gather information about alternatives to crumb rubber; 2) Consider these alternatives; 3) Hold a public meeting that includes as a properly noticed agenda item a discussion of the installation of crumb rubber infill, with the opportunity for public comment.
- SB 47 failed passed in the Senate Education Committee, and therefore failed to meet deadlines to continue moving through the legislative process in 2016.
Department of Industrial Relations Suspension of Electronic Filing
On January 21, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) posted a notice informing
contractors and subcontractors that enforcement of the requirement to post payroll online
using its electronic certified payroll reporting (eCPR) system is temporarily on hold.
Contractors and subcontractors will not be required to submit certified payroll records
(CPRs) into DIR’s eCPR system until the online system is upgraded. The upgrades, which
are slated for completion by June 2016, will allow contractors and subcontractors to more
easily submit CPRs.
Awarding bodies must still ensure that contractors and subcontractors are registered under
DIR’s public works contractor registration system, and that they comply with all other
prevailing wage laws including, but not limited to, the reporting of CPRs.
DIR has additional compliance information on its Public Works Page,
www.dir.ca.gov/public-works/publicworks.html. The full notice can be found on the DIR
website, at www.dir.ca.gov/DIRNews/2016/2016-04.pdf.
CMMCP Call for Core Instructor Nominations
C.A.S.H. is currently seeking nominations for one (1) Core Instructor for the
C.A.S.H. Maintenance Management Certification Program (CMMCP). The
CMMCP is an educational program designed to develop current and potential
maintenance staff into leading experts in the maintenance arena; it serves as an
educational resource for those who would like to increase their expertise in the
management of school maintenance and operations programs.
Please see the attachment for complete nomination requirements. Nominations are
due by Friday, February 5, 2016. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate
to contact Greg Golik, ggolik@m-w-h.com or (916) 448-8577.
~ C.A.S.H. Staff