CA: Powerful school lobby challenges governor over budget cuts

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 1/17/05 | Tom Chorneau - AP

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO (AP) - Facing a $2 billion hit next year in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's budget, a coalition of the state's largest education groups plans to meet Tuesday to consider a strategy for challenging the popular governor and his much disliked spending plan.

Once considered a major ally of schools, Schwarzenegger has emerged in recent weeks as perhaps its biggest enemy. The governor not only wants to shift money from schools to fill other gaps next year but has also proposed a constitutional spending cap that could hurt schools in the future.

Educators said they are preparing for political war.

"We're ready for an all-out battle, absolutely," said Bob Wells, executive director of the Association of California School Administrators. "There's a lot at stake - not just in the short term with the loss of the $2 billion, but longer term too. California has fallen too far behind and we cannot continue to do so."

This week's strategy meeting is the first since Schwarzenegger shocked the education community in his State of the State speech earlier this month by announcing his intent not to give schools all the money they'd asked for.

Schools had believed they would make out better in the governor's plans for 2005-2006 because of a handshake agreement they made with Schwarzenegger a year ago. Last year, the governor convinced educators to accept $2 billion less than they were entitled to - under a voter-approved funding guarantee - to help the state close an estimated $17 billion shortfall.

In exchange, schools officials claim, Schwarzenegger agreed to restore the lost funds in future years and protect schools in the 2005-2006 budget.

But schools say the governor has gone back on his word.

Facing another big deficit next year, estimated at $8.6 billion, Schwarzenegger has proposed taking another $2 billion from what schools say they are entitled to under the Proposition 98 funding guarantee. Also, the governor wants school districts to take over an annual $500 million payment for teacher pensions.

Schwarzenegger has denied breaking his promise to schools and insists his budget is a good compromise. The governor has pointed out that under his plan, education spending would rise by $2.9 billion over the current year and covers expected increases in enrollment and inflation.

"There is substantial growth year over year," said H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the governor's Finance Department. Palmer said that if the governor would propose giving schools any more money it would require making "substantial" reductions to health and welfare programs.

"The governor decided to strike a balance between programs that have a priority to him," Palmer said.

Scott Plotkin, executive director of the California School Board Association, said that the education coalition will be looking to attack the governor on three fronts: a public relations campaign aimed at voters; a lobbying effort to enlist legislative support; and direct dialogue with the administration to try to get Schwarzenegger to change his mind.

"We're hopeful that if we can get the governor's office to see what some of the unintended impacts of his plan will have on schools, maybe we can get him to reconsider," Plotkin said. "No one thinks there will be a complete capitulation, but maybe they will lessen the impacts."

With 65 percent public approval ratings, Schwarzenegger stands as the dominate political force in the state. But rarely as anyone succeeded in taking on the schools, said Roger Salazar, a Democratic political consultant.

"Schwarzenegger really poked a stick in the eye of teachers and schools during his State of the State speech, calling them the problem," said Salazar. "I think he will pay a big political price for that."

Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association, said it is too early to talk about what political strategy her organization might employ in the coming months - but her members are angry with the governor.

"Last year when we agreed to give up $2 billion, we were teachers," said Kerr. "Now, we're being called 'special interest.' These people are very unhappy."

Also in the mix is Schwarzenegger's proposal to pay teachers based on merit instead of length of service - something vigorously opposed by the teachers union. Salazar, however, called the merit pay idea a "smoke screen" to divert attention away from the issues surrounding school funding.

"Schwarzenegger wants to suspend Proposition 98 for the second year in a row - that's the real issue," said Salazar.

In addition to running TV ads and lobbying at the Capitol, educators may also consider developing their own ballot measures that would compete with the initiatives that Schwarzenegger wants to put before voters.

None of the members of the education coalition would comment on the idea, but several said they would not shy away from such a direct confrontation with Schwarzenegger.

"We can't afford to be intimidated," said Wells. "If we have to go to the public, we'll state our case, just as the governor will state his. I'm encouraged - voters have put their faith in us in the past; I don't think we will be viewed as a special interest."

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On the Net

http://www.governor.ca.gov/state/govsite/gov-homepage.jsp

Gov.'s home page

http://www.cta.org/CTA.htm

California Teachers Association

http://www.csba.org/

California School Board Association

http://www.acsa.org/

Association of California School Administrators

[Texas Eagle]

"We're ready for an all-out battle, absolutely," said Bob Wells, executive director of the Association of California School Administrators.

What is Bob Wells's annual salary? What is the ACSA's annual budget? And from where does the money come for each?

[AVNevis]

As a California Public School student, I endorse Schwarzenegger's proposals. 2 Billion less is not going to impact me at all, most likely.

And to all these teachers Associations: STOP USING US AS POLITICAL PAWNS. You don't represent us. If I want a policy change, I will go lobby myself, I don't need you to do it for me.

[NormsRevenge]

Salary? I bet it's 100200K or more .. ;-)

Association of California School Administrators

Bob Wells

[goldstategop]

I'm ready blow my short fuse here. The schools, administrators and teachers get everything covered - up to the rate of inflation in this budget and they're whining about phantom cuts in spending. In this article, they haven't named ONE cut that would hurt them. Hold spending to the rate of inflation and its a "cut." If it isn't a double-digit increase, the special interests are full of woe and beside themselves. Welcome to the wonderful, wacky world of Sacspeak. Where nothing is what it seems.