Oakland, CA — In anticipation of California’s final 2023-2024 state budget, Brian Rivas, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations at EdTrust-West, issued the following statement:

All in all, this budget deal spares more educational equity investments than it sacrifices. In recent years, California has taken some landmark steps toward equity for students of color and multilingual learners; it’s a relief to see much of that momentum unimpeded. Yet there are glaring omissions in the bill, each of which mean dimmer opportunities for students and families of color and multilingual learners. Anyone sizing up this budget should compare it not to how bad it could have been, but to what the most marginalized students need and deserve. Unfortunately, California still falls short.

We are disappointed to see even a single cut to education, but yet another year without funding for Cal Grant reform stands out. Students are still waiting for the reforms legislators agreed to two years ago, reforms they indicated were a priority last year. Lawmakers’ inability to find a funding solution that centers on equity is unacceptable. We have not forgotten this unfulfilled promise and will continue to fight for it.

Finally, looking toward next year, we’re concerned that lawmakers spared crucial investments this year without eliminating the risk of slashing them next year. Our state and our students deserve new revenue sources for education; any discussion about cuts to our schools and colleges should be a nonstarter.

See The Power of Now: Ed Trust-West’s 2023-24 Policy Agenda for more on EdTrust-West’s policy priorities.