Expresses a need for greater vision in California
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, responded to Governor Jerry Brown’s focus on the improved fiscal outlook in his State of the State address:
“The Governor did a great job of reporting what we’ve done to improve the state’s fiscal situation and telling us about the work that lies ahead. But I’m hoping that now we will create a greater vision for California in terms of and dealing with issues of poverty, educational achievement and creating opportunity for everyone.
“We all agree that we’ve got to create more jobs, but we also have to create the capacity in individuals to be ready for those jobs. We can talk about the greatness of California – and it is a great state, no question, with Silicon Valley, our high tech industry and research institutions. But are average Californians ready to work in these industries? Probably not. We will need to focus on preparing our kids for these jobs now.”
Assemblymember Weber also addressed the Governor’s remarks regarding the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), the state’s school funding reform policy:
“I agree that it’s important to give school districts flexibility, but we also have to focus on accountability. What happens when a school doesn’t succeed? What happens when a school board doesn’t properly use the funding? We need to make sure that funds specifically set aside for improving the academic performance of disadvantaged students are actually spent on closing the Achievement Gap.”
Shirley Weber represents the 79th Assembly District.
