FROM:
Robin Oliver, CAWS Executive Director
Gavin Payne, CAWS Strategic Advisor
April 2023 Update
As we reported after the election, fully two thirds of members of the Assembly and Senate are new this year. For some (mostly veteran staff and advocates), that bodes chaos. For others it means fresh new ideas and energy. So far, as predicted, it is a bit of both.
Education Committees are working through full dockets dealing with everything from enrollment to special education to arts education. If successful in policy committee, the next stop for bills that have any fiscal implications are the Appropriations Committees in each house. Since this is what’s known as a ‘cut year ‘(revenues are lower than expected – see below), many bills will likely be held in Appropriations.
Our scans of legislation so far have revealed no specific threats to IB or the IB community.
Just a reminder: if you or anyone in your network knows any of committee chairs or new legislators, please let us know ASAP – CAWS is always looking to recruit new legislative champions to the IB cause.
As you know, the Governor released his first draft budget in January. Since then, the state’s fiscal situation has gotten worse as income (taxes) has trailed projections. While the state has been fiscally prudent in maintaining good reserves, the debate will be heavy in the Legislature beginning in May about how heavily to dip into those reserves verses how much to cut programs in the next year.
May is significant in the annual budget process because that is when the Governor essentially releases his second draft budget with more accurate revenue numbers.
Please be assured we will track legislative and administration activities closely on your behalf -- as the Executive Director of CAWS, and as your Strategic Advisor in Sacramento, with decades of experience in navigating state and local policy and budget decisions, we stand ready to answer your questions and address your concerns.
With Best Regards,
Robin and Gavin.
GPC Advisors, LLC
((916) 290-3100 P.O. Box 14730
[email protected] San Luis Obispo, CA 93406