There's A New State Budget & A New Mandate Just Around the Corner
NEW STATE BUDGET
The Legislature is busy putting the finishing touches on the 2019/20 State Budget before sending it off to Governor Newsom for his review and signature.
Here are some highlights:
CalSTRS and CalPERS Employer Contributions: A compromise was reached to provide funding to reduce district contribution rates for both CalSTRS and CalPERS. Funding will be provided at the level proposed by the Governor ($500 million in 2019/20 and $350 million in 2020/21).
Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): The Budget Committee voted to approve the Governor’s proposal to add a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) of 3.26%.
Special Education: The Budget Committee reached a compromise to provide $152.6 million to bring all district’s special education rates to the statewide base rate. The compromise also provides $493.2 million in grants to districts serving 3 and 4 year olds with Individualized Education Plans.
The next step is for the Senate and Assembly to vote to approve the Budget which will take place by June 15th. Once approved, it will go to Governor Newsom for his signature.
NEW MANDATE
The State also approved a new mandate: Public School Restrooms: Feminine Hygiene Products, with an anticipated initial claim filing deadline around April, 2020.
You can file for reimbursement if you have 1 or more schools with any grade between 6 and 12 AND at least 40% of enrolled students in the school are from low-income families.
The following activities are reimbursable as of January 1, 2018:
Time and costs to stock the girl’s restrooms with feminine hygiene products
Time and cost to train staff on the new state mandated activities
Time and cost to update district policies and procedures
Costs to purchase and install dispensers for the restrooms
If you are a current client, we have you covered! If you are not a current client, call me, we can help.
Until next time,
Mike Brown, Good Governance Program Manager
