Top Education Issues for 2005 

1. The governor’s reform package:

• Education
  Gov. Schwarzenegger has backed away from the deal he made with the Education Coalition last year, and is further proposing a constitutional amendment that would undermine Proposition 98. By reducing state contributions to the State Teachers Retirement System, school districts would be hit with additional costs. The governor has proposed basing teacher pay on performance instead of seniority, and wants to make education spending more “transparent.”

• Public Employee Pensions
  The governor proposes saving the state money by fixing contributions of new state employees toward their retirement plan, instead of a defined benefit plan.

• Budget Reform
  Gov. Schwarzenegger proposes a semi-annual “check” of state spending versus its revenues, giving the Legislature 45 days to reconcile any imbalance. If the Legislature fails to act, automatic across-the-board cuts (including Proposition 98) would take place.

• Government
  The elimination of dozens of boards and commissions has been proposed, along with the consolidation of several key state agencies.

• Reapportionment
  The governor would appoint an independent panel of retired judges to draw Legislative and Congressional districts.

2. Setting the stage for confrontation:

Governor Schwarzenegger is enjoying record-level approval ratings. At the same time, the legislative majority has been weakened by the loss of veteran legislators due to term limits.

3. The governor’s challenge:

The governor has asked the Legislature to approve his reform package in a special session. “My colleagues,” he said during his State of the State address, “I say to you, political courage is not political suicide. Ignore the lobbyists. Ignore the politics. Trust the people.” If the Legislature doesn’t act as the governor wishes, he vows to take his plan to the voters: “If we here in this chamber don’t work together to reform the government, the people will rise up and reform it themselves. And I will join them and fight with them.”

4. Direct democracy run amok:

A number of potential ballot initiatives are looming:

• A requirement that two-thirds of the Legislature is needed to reject the governor’s reorganization plans.
• A constitutional amendment limiting spending based on population growth and inflation.
• A 55 percent vote requirement for parcel taxes for education.
• A “Bill of Rights” for car buyers.
• An increase in the minimum wage.
• Mechanisms for buying prescription drugs from Canada.
• Funding for preschool.

5. Adequacy: what is needed, how to get it:

The state budget crisis may open further opportunities for discussing how public education is funded. Research into the issue is ongoing, and CSBA continues to collaborate with education and business leaders to develop a strategy to addressing the issue of adequate funding.

6. Looming on the horizon:

• The “Fix NCLB” campaign continues.
• The governor’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence intends to set aside the Quality Education Commission.
• High School Reform.