Time is running out to secure federal energy incentives

By Thomas Jackson and Bruce Dickinson Across California, public agencies have invested in energy modernization projects, including solar, battery storage and energy efficiency, to cut operating costs and protect their budgets against rising utility rates. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides substantial tax credits in […]

U.S. school facilities need vastly increased state and federal funding

Despite local educational agency efforts to ramp up investments in school facilities, the U.S. now faces an annual $90 billion shortfall in school facility funding after years of massive, chronic underinvestment, according to a recent report from the 21st Century School Fund, International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and the National Council on School Facilities.

New report outlines current early education and child care policy and spending by state

The National Women’s Law Center on Jan. 9 published the report, Progress and Setbacks: State Child Care and Early Education Updates 2025, which examined depleting federal support for the child care sector and how it has impacted state spending.

California researchers examine potential alternatives to state education funding

While the establishment of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013 has led to improved academic achievement in high-need districts, continued disparities in student outcomes and other challenges with the formula have persisted. As a result, discussions about modifying various aspects of the LCFF have increased, according to a recent report from the Public Policy Institute of California that examines potential alternatives.

Gov. Newsom announces his final state budget proposal

A day after Gov. Gavin Newsom provided his State of the State address to a joint session of the State Legislature, which included several significant sneak peeks of major educational proposals that are a part of his overall proposed budget, the Department of Finance presented the Governor’s proposed budget for the coming 2026–27 fiscal year on Jan. 9. Notably, it includes another manipulation of Proposition 98 that foretells serious concerns about how the state may continue to approach public education funding.

Sustainable funding needed to continue reducing youth homelessness

Recent gains made across California to reduce the number of homeless youth and provide support to children may see a reversal due to proposed funding cuts for safety net programs that support aging foster youth and other young people facing housing instability, according to a […]

CSBA’s 2026 budget advocacy strategy: Protect core funding, strengthen local control and drive overall student success

CSBA’s 2026 budget advocacy strategy: Protect core funding, strengthen local control and drive overall student success As the 2026 State Budget cycle begins, CSBA is advancing a comprehensive advocacy strategy that defends public education’s fiscal foundation while urging Sacramento to do more — at the […]