Levine on state budget

After the California Legislature passed Sunday an on-time and fully balanced 2014-15 state budget, District 10 Assemblymember Marc Levine, who represents the city of Sonoma, said “This is the Father’s Day budget that takes care of California’s children.”

This budget is a responsible spending plan that pays down the wall of debt and increases funding for K-12 and higher education and other critical public services, he said.

It also includes funding for a suicide barrier for the Golden Gate Bridge. “This barrier will save lives and is desperately needed,” Levine said.

Additionally, the budget sets in place a plan of shared responsibility to make the teacher’s retirement system solvent. “Solvency of the State Teachers Retirement Fund makes sure that the money is there when it is needed and protects classroom spending.”

The 2014-15 state budget includes the following funding provisions:
*Pays down the wall of debt by up to $12.4 billion
*Increases K-12 per pupil spending by 10%
*Provides $250 million to strengthen career pathways between high schools and community colleges
*Places an 18-month moratorium on CSU campus fees
*Increases funding to UC and CSU by $142 million per system
*Provides $180 million to cover the cost of overtime pay for In-Home Supportive Services homecare workers
*Provides $9 million to expand eligibility for Cal Fresh Program and California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS)

The Governor has until June 30, 2014 to act on the budget.