California is in the news again, and not for something good; this time, the state teacher’s association is up in arms about Governor Gavin Newsom’s new proposal. 

His proposal involves cutting public school funding by over $10 billion to deal with California’s budget shortfall. As expected, many, especially those in the education system, are unhappy. Now, the California Teacher’s Association (CTA) is speaking up via an advertisement campaign that claims such cuts would trigger a “monumental crisis” for education. 

In the face of much opposition, Newsom has backtracked, reversing the proposal. However, the CTA has continued to broadcast its ads and will continue to do so until legislators approve the new agreement. This shows how determined the union is to hold Newsom by the scruff until all changes are enacted.

The ad lasts only 30 seconds, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in intensity. It envisioned a depressing future involving unemployment, loss of resources, and demoralization of those involved. Its major aim was to rouse a righteous rage in those who watched it in hopes that they would band together to resist Newsom’s proposal. 

The CTA’s ad also asked the people of California to demand the legislature to pass a budget that protects public schools rather than damn them, as it is likely not the last time a governor will attempt to cut school funding. The ad urged people to do it to preserve the future of the kids and the community as a whole. 

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The ad worked perfectly, rousing residents of the states who lashed out at Governor Newsom, pushing him to withdraw his budget cut proposal. Now, there is a plan to revise proposal 98, which only guarantees minimum funding, and the CTA is dedicated to seeing it through. 

The revised proposal centers on Proposition 98, a 1988 law that ensures public schools receive at least the minimum funding they require to function well. If the revision is successful, the law will be assessed more profitably, which will allocate an extra $5.5 billion to public schools in the coming years.

Newsom says the agreement is a solution that will benefit the educational system. It ensures there will be no budget cuts to the funding allocated to education while maintaining neutrality.

People are happy an agreement has been reached between the CTA and the state government; however, a spokesperson for Newsom said there seem to still be some unresolved problems. 

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Some have criticized the tactics the CTA employed to get things done. Lance Christensen, Vice President of the California Policy Center, said the way they talked about their grievances, putting the Governor on blast, was wrong. Especially when all he was trying to do was modestly fix the state budget. Never mind that he was responsible for breaking it in the first place. 

Newsom’s revised budget proposal includes cuts that will affect state operations and climate programs. However, it is all in preparation for a state deficit and budget challenges expected between 2025 and 2026. 

The CTA plays an active role in state politics, as evidenced by its significant contributions to Governor Newsom’s campaigns. These include $250,000 to his Yes on Prop 1 committee and a whopping $1.8 million to his anti-recall campaign. 

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The whole state awaits the passing of the revised budget agreement, but nobody knows for sure how the negotiations will affect the state’s financial and educational landscape. The only thing sure right now is where Governor Newsom and the CTA stand; only time will tell what the consequences of their agreement will be.

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