By Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media
California’s 2025-26 Budget: School Funding Expected to Increase by an Estimated $1.5 Billion
The California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) recently published its fiscal outlook for the 2025-26 budget, forecasting a $1.5 billion increase in the minimum guarantee for funding public schools and community colleges.
This raises the total budget to $116.8 billion, a 1.3% increase over last year’s budget. While the additional funding offers opportunities to address educational inequities, challenges such as declining enrollment and the expiration of pandemic-era funding create uncertainty for schools, particularly those serving Black and other underserved communities.
The projected budget includes a 2.46% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), totaling $2.4 billion, to help schools manage operational costs.
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which prioritizes resources for schools with high populations of low-income and English learner students, will benefit from these adjustments. Funding also supports the expansion of transitional kindergarten, a program designed to increase access to early education for all four-year-olds. This initiative receives an $800 million adjustment as part of the state’s ongoing investment.
Despite these funding increases, systemic challenges remain. Enrollment has declined due to lower birth rates and increased migration out of the state, directly affecting funding levels. While the transitional kindergarten expansion may offer a short-term enrollment boost, the long-term trend of declining student populations threatens financial stability for many districts. Additionally, the expiration of $4.1 billion in one-time pandemic funding after 2025-26 could further strain resources.
For Black students, who are disproportionately represented in low-income school districts, the fiscal outlook provides potential for targeted improvements. Programs like the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, aimed at mitigating pandemic-related learning losses, remain critical in addressing achievement gaps. However, recent assessments highlight the urgency of these efforts. Only 17.8% of Black students met or exceeded state math standards, compared to a statewide average of 35.5%. Similarly, just 30.3% of Black students achieved proficiency in English, compared to 47% overall.
The report identifies $2.8 billion available for new commitments, presenting options such as strengthening reserves, eliminating deferrals, or funding programs to address inequities. The LAO emphasizes the importance of fiscal planning and the strategic use of funds to ensure that these efforts will be impactful.
San Francisco to Implement New Speed Camera Pilot Program
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) made a major move toward establishing a speed enforcement system for the city by awarding the contract to implement it to Verra Mobility.
Verra Mobility, is a partner of Bay Area construction company Marinship Development, LLC, and currently runs the largest speed programs in the United States. It builds safer and smarter communities through transportation technologies for smart cities, smart roadways and the integrated systems.
“We at Marinship are excited to work with San Francisco to make the city smarter and safer,” said Derek Smith, Founder and Managing Member of Marinship Development. “SFMTA’s choice to partner with
Verra Mobility and Marinship Development, LLC. highlights its commitment to ensuring demonstrable change in the Bay Area, and we are excited to be a part of that change.”
Marinship Development Interest, LLC, is a California African American Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Marinship has more than 30 years of experience in building construction, civil infrastructure, consulting, real estate development and energy infrastructure
The two companies empower communities to foster safer, healthier environments and enhance the quality of life. Marinship’s position is to oversee the construction and installation of the speed enforcement systems with Verra Mobility managing both the front and back ends of the program, according to Smith.
The partnership is designed to benefit the community it serves, according to Marinship. The company says it works to continuously uplift California communities by focusing on local recruitment efforts, providing on-the-job training and internship opportunities to STEM students and professionals, and pursuing a greener, sustainable future for California.
SFMTA provides a level playing field with regard to contracting and employment opportunities with third-party vendors. It is the department of the City and County of San Francisco that manages all ground transportation in the city.
SFMTA’s Contract Compliance Office (CCO) establishes objectives and evaluates bids and specifications to identify potential barriers to participation by Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), and Local Business Enterprises (LBEs).
According to Smith, once the contract is signed, Marinship will expedite construction in order to execute a quick turn in implementation.
City officials are looking to launch the program in the first half of 2025.
California Pushes Road Safety During Crash Responder Safety Week
Last week, California officials urged motorists to prioritize safety during Crash Responder Safety Week, emphasizing the importance of moving over and slowing down near emergency and work zones.
The campaign, led by Caltrans, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), aimed to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities among first responders and maintenance workers on California’s roadways.
California’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to change lanes when safe, or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles or maintenance crews with flashing lights. Safety Awareness Week served as a reminder that first responders are often working in hazardous conditions to protect the public.
According to 2022 data by the National Safety Council, 891 people were killed and over 37,000 were injured in work zone crashes across the country. In California, more than 10,000 work-zone crashes were reported, resulting in 117 deaths and over 4,500 injuries.
Caltrans Director Tony Tavares urged drivers to stay alert and cautious in work zones.
“Safety is our top priority,” said Tavares. “There’s no excuse to speed and drive recklessly. Make the conscious decision to protect yourself, loved ones, fellow travelers, and vulnerable highway workers.”
Sean Duryee, commissioner of the CHP, echoed this message, highlighting that roadwork and emergency scenes are critical safety zones where first responders put their lives at risk. Steve Gordon, director of the DMV, also stressed the importance of educating drivers on road safety rules to prevent accidents.
Numerous first responders are struck by passing motorists while working at accident scenes each year. Traffic incidents are the leading cause of death for on-duty law enforcement, firefighters, and other highway workers, according to CalTrans.
California Voters Approve Measure Limiting AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Spending
California voters have passed Proposition 34, a new measure that aims to limit the spending practices of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a major player in funding rent control initiatives.
The California Apartment Association (CAA), the sponsor of the measure, argued that it would reduce taxpayer costs by ensuring that more revenue from federal drug programs goes directly to patient care, rather than being used for non-healthcare expenses such as political campaigns or luxury housing.
Recent reports indicated that Prop 34 passed with 50 percent of the vote, narrowly defeating the opposition. The law will target healthcare providers who have spent more than $100 million over 10 years on non-patient-related expenses, and it specifically impacts organizations that also face significant health and safety violations in their housing operations.
California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) stated that the program allows providers including AHF to serve low-income patients. However, the law “does not directly restrict how providers spend their revenue from federal drug discounts,” the LAO office stated.
The AHF earns substantial revenue from the federal 340B drug program, which is particularly affected by the new measure. The foundation has used its funds to support rent control campaigns, including multiple failed initiatives. The foundation also used funds to operate apartments, some of which were criticized for poor living conditions. In response to the measure’s passage, AHF president Michael Weinstein denounced the effort as a retaliatory move by wealthy real estate interests.
“If billionaires spend more than $170 million lying and confusing voters, they are virtually guaranteed to win,” said Weinstein.
While the law passed, the AHF indicated that it may challenge the measure in court, having previously filed a lawsuit attempting to remove it from the ballot. Legal experts noted that the specificity of the measure, which seemingly targets AHF alone, could render it unconstitutional.
Nonetheless, the passing of Prop 34 marks a significant victory for real estate interests and a major setback for the AHF’s ongoing push for rent control.
California Promotes Jobs Plan in Central Valley to Address Economic Concerns
Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Fresno on Thursday to promote his upcoming “California Jobs First Economic Blueprint,” aimed at bridging the economic divide between prosperous coastal areas and struggling inland regions.
During his speech at the West Fresno Center Campus of Fresno City College, Newsom acknowledged that despite California’s booming economy, many residents, particularly in conservative areas like the Central Valley, feel disconnected from its success.
“The economy may be booming for some, but people feel like it’s not supportive,” said Newsom, highlighting a key issue raised during the recent election.
In his message, Newsom clarified that the state’s economic growth is yet to reach everyone, namely areas that backed President-elect Donald Trump. The Governor stressed the importance of blue-collar job creation in these regions as a solution to the economic divide.
While Newsom’s announcement outlined incremental steps, the setting of him standing in front of heavy machinery at a blue-collar apprenticeship program symbolized his attempt to engage voters in traditionally conservative areas. This was part of his broader effort to respond to critiques of the Democratic Party’s disconnect with working-class voters.
Newsom also acknowledged that the cost of living remains the top concern across California. A recent survey showed that a significant portion of residents, especially in the Central Valley, expect tough economic times ahead. Newsom pledged that his plan would address these concerns and promised further details early next year.
His appearance in Fresno is part of a broader strategy to connect with conservative areas, a move seen by some as a response to the mixed results of the 2024 election. Newsom also indicated he would visit other Central Valley counties, including Kern and Colusa, to continue his outreach efforts across the state.
California Students See Gains in Attendance, Graduation
The newly released 2024 California School Dashboard reveals significant progress in student outcomes across the state, reflecting the impact of targeted interventions and investments in education.
Chronic absenteeism dropped by 16.7% compared to last year, indicating that schools are making strides in re-engaging students. Meanwhile, graduation rates climbed to 86.4% for the class of 2024—the highest recorded since 2017—demonstrating a growing trend of academic resilience and recovery following the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over 51% of the graduating class met the eligibility requirements for University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admissions, a key indicator of college readiness. This shows a positive shift toward greater access to higher education and reflects ongoing efforts to support academic achievement among California’s students.
“Across California, we’re seeing that when we provide for the most vulnerable in our communities, all students reap the rewards,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. “Yet, we know there is still much work to be done to ensure every student has the support and resources needed to succeed.”
The Dashboard highlights gains in college and career readiness for historically underserved groups, such as Black and Native American students, signaling progress in narrowing long-standing equity gaps.
However, the report also sheds light on areas requiring urgent attention, such as persistent disparities in suspension rates for Black students and foster youth.
“Today’s Dashboard results show California continuing to make important strides in post-pandemic recovery,” said California State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond. “We are also supporting stronger gains for students who have been furthest from opportunity for many years. This progress is encouraging, but there is still critical work ahead to ensure equity for every child.”
The Dashboard provides a comprehensive view of key metrics, including academic performance, absenteeism, graduation rates, and college/career readiness. It serves as a tool for educators, policymakers, and families to monitor progress and identify areas for improvement.
For an in-depth look at the data and analysis, visit the 2024 California School Dashboard online.
