Legislative Updates
Current
Updates
May 29 , 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Each year, the Public Policy Committee of the Alliance reviews legislation proposed in the California Senate and Assembly, with an eye to bills that are directly related to arts education, or that may have larger implications for education or the arts, that may indirectly impact our area of concern.
The Committee, made up of board members, votes on which bills our organization wishes to support or to oppose, and authorizes appropriate letters to be sent to the legislature, stating the position of our organization.
The following is a list of recent changes to pending legislation. Below, you can find a list of all pending legislation where the Alliance has taken a position, a brief description of the bill, and the reason for our position.
SB 199 (Ducheny)- Did not pass out of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and remains on the Suspense File and become a two year bill, eligible to be considered again next year. This bill, like most of the other bills under consideration, was held because of cost.
AB 700 (Krekorian) - did not pass out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, and remains on the Suspense File and becomes a two year bill which will be considered again next year.
AB 554 (Furutani) - did not pass out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and remains on the Suspense File, and becomes a two year bill, eligible to be considered again next year.
April 8, 2009
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Each year, the Public Policy Committee of the Alliance reviews legislation proposed in the California Senate and Assembly, with an eye to bills that are directly related to arts education, or that may have larger implications for education or the arts, that may indirectly impact our area of concern.
The Committee, made up of board members, votes on which bills our organization wishes to support or to oppose, and authorizes appropriate letters to be sent to the legislature, stating the position of our organization.
The following is a list of legislation where the Alliance has taken a position, a brief description of the bill, and the reason for our position:
AB 554 (Furutani) Graduation requirements – Would allow a student to substitute a course in Career Technical Education for requirements in Arts Education, Foreign Language, or Physical Education. (OPPOSE) (The bill would undermine students’ access to arts education courses and to the preparation essential to preparing students to meet the challenges of the workforce.)
AB 700 (Krekorian) Creative Industries and Community Economic Revitalization Act - Fund would provide a stable revenue source for the California Arts Council and its programs, and would help support the arts as a significant contributor to California’s economic recovery through tourism, jobs, social services, and education outreach. (SUPPORT) (Alliance recognizes the essential role that the non-profit arts community has played in contributing to the growth of California’s creative industry.)
AB 836 (Torlakson) Task force for educational technology – Establishes a task force, funded by private donations, to make preliminary recommendations on digital literacy standards and recommendations for a statewide plan to increase the level of technology in California schools. (SUPPORT) (The Alliance recognizes the importance of providing access to high quality educational technology that supports standards-based instruction in the Visual and Performing Arts.)
AB 855 (Krekorian) Taxation: incentive program: television and film production - Creates a tax incentive program that promotes a robust economic environment for television and film production within the state. (SUPPORT) (The Alliance recognizes that television and film-related jobs are critical to California’s economic vitality, and supports tax incentives for television and film productions in the state.)
SB 199 (Ducheny) Postsecondary education: instructional strategies: subject matter projects - Would include authorization for The California Arts Project, The California Foreign Language Project, and The Physical Education/Health Project in the Subject Matter Projects. (SUPPORT) (Authorization enhances content knowledge and the skills necessary to develop multiple pathway programs and career technical education programs.)
SB 800 (Hancock) Pupil Assessment - The Alliance supports the exemption of second grade students from the annual STAR testing program. (SUPPORT) (This action would free up valuable instructional time and resources at the second grade level, and prevent narrowing of the curriculum that prevents access to arts education.)
Note: A similar letter of support was sent on AB 476 (Torlakson), an Assembly bill with the same content as SB 800.
February 27, 2009
California
Budget Update
So at long last, we know where we stand: On February 19th, the legislature
passed a new state budget. You can read more about the massive cuts and scores
of changes that are part of the package in our news section below.
There is some good news: the Arts and Music Block Grant remains in the budget, now and for the next four years. The bad news is that these funds have been cut 15% this year, with a further reduction of nearly 5% the following year.
More important, the new regulations provide complete flexibility at the district level in terms of spending. The risk we face is that school districts will choose to spend that money on something other than arts education. But – and this is where we need you! - the new regulations require that districts first hold public meetings to discuss any proposed transfer of arts education funds.
Already there is a groundswell of grassroots support for arts education across the state. Chris Sentieri from Monterey Peninsula Unified wrote to tell us that their Music and Arts Advocacy Partnership has already geared up to protest impending cuts. Dean Gorby, Administrator for Visual and Performing Arts in Stockton is rallying the troops to greet the press at Friday night’s school board meeting in his district with the sounds of music. A crowd of 175 community members showed up at a meeting in Modesto the other night to rally in support of arts education. Some students carried signs reading “No Music: No Life.”
This is a critical moment in the movement for quality, equity and access in arts education across California. Visit our action center to find out what you can do right now in your district to make a difference. (Link to Action Center landing page.) Just this week, we added a toolkit for advocates statewide to prepare for district hearings. Send us your stories! In the coming weeks and months, we will feature a new section in ArtsEdMail, called Faces from the Field. We’ll share stories of successful advocacy, profiles of educators, administrators, activists and others who are making a difference. In the meantime, good luck. We are always here to support your efforts.
February 11, 2009
California Budget Update
A budget deal could be just around the corner…or down the street, across the bridge and out of town. We have long since abandoned any confidence in our abilities to anticipate when this drawn out process will likely conclude. We do know that the Governor and legislative leaders have been meeting with increased urgency during the past week and are reportedly close to an agreement.
We also know that the Senate Pro-Tem, Senator Darrell Steinberg, is committed to bringing the revised budget plan to a vote this week in both the senate and the assembly. However, in Steinberg’s words, “There is not any deal to announce at this point.”
There have been some indications that the Governor may be backing off his original proposal to consolidate all categorical funding into the general fund. More recent language suggests reforming rather than eliminating categoricals to provide local districts with more flexibility.
The consequences of inaction continue to mount as the stalemate continues. Some speculate that the delay has been influenced by uncertainty around the funds states may receive via the federal stimulus package currently under consideration in Washington. The theory goes that were federal funding to become available, it might help offset some of the deficits California faces and alter the equation of an agreement. Again, this is speculation.
Meanwhile, this is a good time to reach out to elected officials to express your support for arts education. If you haven’t already, please take the time to visit our action center by clicking here and send a message to the Governor and local representatives.
January 30, 2009
Budget Update
As we reported in the last ArtsEdMail, the Governor’s proposal to reduce 2008-09 Proposition 98 spending on K-14 programs includes legislation that provides “schools complete and permanent flexibility with respect to categorical funding.” The proposal would authorize the transfer of funding for categorical programs, including the Arts and Music Block Grant to a district or county office of education general fund. (In all likelihood these changes would extend into the 2009-10 budget year, though that decision will be made later this year.)
The Democratic leadership of the legislature’s budget proposal for mid-year education funding differs from the Governor's approach of providing the flexible use of categorical programs funding. It would eliminate certain categorical programs, including the Arts and Music Block Grant, and protect direct instructional services and programs that support most at-risk students.
We are continuing to make the case that the Arts and Music Block Grant should continue to be funded.
KEEP CHECKING IN
While there is no clear indication when and how the budget negotiations may come to a conclusion, the Governor continues to meet regularly with leadership from both parties. Both revenue increases and budget cuts are now on the table.
January 14, 2009
Budget Update
The current budget negotiations are complex, with the Arts Block Grant funding representing a very small portion of what is at stake for education funding overall. In the interest of giving you a full accounting of the various proposals, we wish to inform you as to what proposals are on the table, what we anticipate may happen next, to distinguish between conjecture or rumor and what actions have actually taken place, the impact all this may have on arts education in our schools, and what you can do about it.
As of today, there is no indication when the Governor and the legislature will agree upon a budget that meets the unprecedented deficit that our state is facing. With regard to the issue of arts education, here’s what we know:
WHAT’S ON THE TABLE
In his proposal to reduce 2008-09 Proposition 98 spending on K-14 programs, the Governor proposes legislation that provides “schools complete and permanent flexibility with respect to categorical funding.” The Governor’s proposal would authorize the transfer of funding for categorical programs, including the Arts and Music Block Grant to a district’s or county office of education’s general fund. (In all likelihood these changes would extend into the 2009-10 budget year, though that decision will be made later this year.)
The Democratic leadership of the legislature’s budget proposal for mid-year education funding differs from the Governor's approach of providing the flexible use of categorical programs funding. It would eliminate certain categorical programs, including the Arts and Music Block Grant, and protect direct instructional services and programs that support most at-risk students.
Whichever way the budget negotiation goes, the outlook for the Arts and Music Block Grant does not seem promising at this moment; however, no one can anticipate where the final decisions might lead, and we will remain steadfast advocates for as long as necessary.
WHAT’S REAL AND WHAT’S NOT
Anticipating major cuts in education funding, many school districts are freezing funds for programs including arts education. We have also heard stories of some school districts allotting designated funds for arts education to other programs, based on the assumption that a decision has already been made or that categorical flexibility is on its way. That would NOT be a legal use of those funds, since no decisions have been made with regard to current state funding.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
Whichever path our state takes to remedy its economic woes, it is increasingly clear that there is momentum gathering around the concept that each school district should determine its own educational priorities, based on the funding that it receives. What this means to you as an advocate is that, more than ever, we need to raise our voices locally, with principals, superintendents, and school board members, to let them know the importance of arts education as part of the core curriculum that every child needs and deserves.
As an organization, we will continue to fight for ongoing state funding and beneficial policies for arts education. Although we recognize the uphill battle we face in such dire economic conditions, we remain committed to providing arts education as part of the education that every student receives.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Your advocacy efforts are best directed at this time at the local level. While we await the decision on the state budget, there are actions you can take locally, where critical decisions will soon be made about the delivery of arts education in your school district. Click to access a letter template directed to local school district leaders and for talking points and to learn how to be strategic in your arts education advocacy efforts at this critical time.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
While the process around the budget remains unresolved, the Department of Education continues to monitor the Arts and Music Block Grant. To the extent that your school district has not yet frozen those funds, you are encouraged to spend them now for their designated purpose, particularly if your district has made thoughtful strategic decisions about how to utilize the funding. The department recently posted both the FAQ and the Summary Report Template on the CDE website. You can find the 2008-2009 FAQs and Summary Report Template, including narrative, by clicking here. In addition, the Superintendent's Letter explaining the first apportionment of the Arts and Music Block Grant and the district apportionment listing can be found here.
KEEP CHECKING IN
As long as the uncertainty continues around the budget continues, we will provide updates on our website as events merit. If you have questions or concerns, please let us know and we will do our best to respond quickly. Joe Landon, Policy Director: joe@artsed411.org or Laurie Schell, Executive Director laurie@artsed411.org.
December 18, 2008
California Budget Update
This is the final edition of ArtsEdMail for 2008. We would
prefer to go out on a more festive note, but like many of you, we
are hearing reports from advocates throughout the state about school
districts anticipating cuts in their budgets and freezing spending
for arts education.
The cloud of uncertainty surrounding budget negotiations among legislative leaders and the Governor in Sacramento remains unchanged. Each day without a revised budget pushes the state deeper into its fiscal crisis. We know that cuts are coming – but we don’t yet know what the impact will be for arts education.
As we’ve been reporting, one of the areas of greatest concern to the Alliance has to do with proposals to increase flexibility for categorical funding. This would free school districts from restrictions requiring that those funds be spent for their intended purpose. The proposal is intended to give districts more control of their budgets to deal with anticipated cuts, but could be devastating to the ongoing investment for arts education.
Your immediate advocacy efforts are best directed at the local level. While we await the decision on the state budget, there are actions you can take locally, where critical decisions will soon be made about the delivery of arts education in your school district. Click HERE to access a letter template directed to local school district leaders and for talking points. Click HERE to learn how to be strategic in your arts education advocacy efforts at this critical time.
The Alliance sends you good wishes for the holiday season. As 2008 comes to an end, we thank you for your commitment to arts education and for your tenacity to face every obstacle with new determination and creativity. And we look forward to working with you in 2009!
December 3, 2008
California Budget Arts Education Today
On Monday the newly elected members of the California State Legislature were
sworn into office. On the same day Governor Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal
emergency for the state, allowing him to call a Proposition 58 legislative
special session to address this emergency. He also called a second legislative
special session to address the state’s economy. It remains to be seen how
the new legislature will work with the Governor to resolve the current
crisis with some combination of spending cuts and new revenues to solve
the state’s revenue shortfall. In particular we will be watching the Governor’s
proposal to include "dramatic flexibility" that would remove
almost all restrictions on categorical funding allowing school districts
to redirect their money to other purposes as an offset to a $2.2 billion
reduction in K-12 aid. We have already sent letters to the Governor and
key members of the legislature, strongly urging them to protect the categorical
funding allotment for the Arts and Music Block Grant. We urge you to take
action at the local level. Local Action Needed Now: Write a letter to your
local school board and superintendent, letting them know you believe it
is essential that the intent of these funds - to support quality arts education
in all schools - be protected in this budget year, allowing school districts
the opportunity to implement their plans and begin to address the disparities
in access that exist across the state and re-build standards-based quality
instructional programs. Here is a sample letter you can copy into a word
document and personalize.Click here for sample letter. Should you have
questions, contact Laurie Schell (laurie@artsed411.org) or Joe Landon (joe@artsed411.org.)