Newsom Signs Historic Budget With $128 Billion in Education Spending

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a historic state budget on Friday that includes a record $128 billion for the state’s K-12 schools and colleges. A massive surplus has allowed for the following:

• $9.2 billion increase (13%) for the Local Control Funding Formula
• $7.9 billion for the Learning Recovery Emergency Fund 
• $4 billion for the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, which will allow for more after-school and summer enrichment programs 
• $4.2 billion for school construction and renovation 
• $3.56 billion for the Arts, Music and Instructional Materials Discretionary Block 
• $2 billion in teacher retention and preparedness efforts
• $1.13 billion for the California Community Schools Partnership Program
• 5% funding increase for the University of California and California State University systems 
• Cal Grant expansions in the amount of 364.8 (2024-25) and $348.8 million (2025-26)

In a statement, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said the following:  

“COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on our economy, and we are grateful that this budget recognizes that investments in public education will be a critical driver to our state’s rebound. Coming out of two of the most difficult years for education in our lifetime, historic funding levels to the state and for education programs will enable us to heal, recover, and thrive—with specific attention to student mental health and closing opportunity gaps that disproportionately affect students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, and students in low-income households.

“While this budget is good news for our 1,000 school districts and nearly six million public school students, we still face great challenges and a lot of work together in the months ahead. California’s schools will provide essential resources to students, families, and community members in the short term, and they’ll continue to build innovative long-term programs and strategies to help students heal and recover after several very challenging years.”

Read the 2022-2023 budget summary here.