Gov. elect Jerry Brown says money for schools could be chopped up to 20-25 percent
Daily News ^ | 12/14/2010 | By Tony Castro
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Gov.-elect Jerry Brown warned educational leaders on Tuesday to "fasten your seat belts" when he unveils his proposed budget for next year, saying the plan will include painful cuts in school funding.
"Please sit down when you read the stories on the budget Jan. 10," Brown said during a briefing with education leaders at UCLA. "Don't stand up. Do sit down. If you're in the car, fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a rough ride ...
While Brown gave no specifics about cuts, both he and state Treasurer Bill Lockyer bandied across-the-board budget cuts of 20 to 25 percent - drawing gasps from some 200 educators, administrators and teacher representatives.
"So far, I've heard good ideas about how to spend more money," Lockyer said. "Great, it ain't there. It's time to make cuts - I believe deep cuts.
"Those who wanted less government, you're going to get your wish.
California's K-12 and community college education budget, which comprises about 40 percent of the state spending plan, has experienced $7 billion in cuts over the last three years.
That likely would mean a hit of $200 million for Los Angeles Unified, the state's largest school district
David Sanchez, president of the California Teachers Association, lamented that "there is no more meat on this bone to carve. The only thing left is amputation."
Facing a $28 billion deficit, Brown told reporters he plans to have spending agreements hammered out with lawmakers within 60 days.
"It will be a very tough budget, but it will be transparent," said Brown, who takes office on Jan. 3. "We've been living in a fantasy land. It's much worse than I thought. I'm shocked. But I came here to do the people's business."
Economic conditions have become so bad, Brown said, that both California and the country find themselves facing possible historic challenges.
"It may be worse than the Great Depression in terms of the political pressures and the tearing of the social fabric," Brown said.
Brown also said he plans to cut the governor's office budget by an additional 5 percent over the 20 percent he had previously announced.
"I've seen that office - it's got a lot more people than the last time I was there," said Brown, who was also governor from 1975 to 1983. "It's going to have a lot fewer by the time I arrive."
