Budget Overview & Legislature Reconvenes

25-26 Budget Toplines

Governor Gavin Newsom previewed the 2025-26 Budget in a press conference on Monday, January 6th with the full budget details coming this Friday, January 10th per the constitutional deadline. He delivered the budget toplines at CSU Stanislaus where he received the North San Joaquin Valley Economic Plan as part of the Jobs First Tour.  

Governor Newsom highlighted the Master Plan for Career Education, a priority for the administration this coming year, that will also include a plan for K-16. The Governor emphasized that last year, in an unprecedented move, the State adopted a two-year balanced budget to address this year’s deficit. As a result, the 2025-26 budget is constructed similarly to the current year. The Administration’s plan will focus on keeping California safe, clean, and accountable.   

The Department of Finance will present the budget details this Friday, but highlights for education include: 

  • Projected $118.9 Billion in TK-16 Prop 98 Funding  
  • $24,764 per pupil spending, $18,918 per pupil from Prop 98 
  • 2.43% COLA 

Highlighted Ongoing Investments:  

  • $4.4 Billion: Before/After & Summer school 
  • $2.4 Billion: Universal Transitional Kindergarten  
  • $2 Billion: Universal School Meals  
  • $1 Billion: Arts and Music Funding Guarantee 
  • $311 Million: Equity Multiplier 

The Governmental Relations team will release a NewsBreak with further details on the January Budget once they are available.  

Legislature Reconvenes

The Legislature reconvened yesterday, January 6, 2025, for the first year of the 2025-2026 legislative session. The bill introduction deadline for new legislation is February 24, 2025. 

Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) will continue as Speaker of the Assembly and Senate President pro Tempore, respectively. The most notable committee change is in the Senate Education committee with newly elected Senator Sasha Renée Pérez taking over for Josh Newman who lost his re-election bid. Below is a list of the key committees and their leadership. 

Assembly Committee Leadership Assignments 

Appropriations 

  • Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), Chair 
  • Assemblymember Kate A. Sanchez (R-Rancho Santa Margarita), Vice Chair 

Budget 

  • Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair 
  • Assemblymember Heath Flora (R – Lodi), Vice Chair 

Budget Subcommittee #3 on Education Finance 

  • Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), Chair 
  • Assemblymember Heath Flora (R- Ripon), Vice Chair 

Education 

  • Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), Chair 
  • Assemblymember Josh Hoover (R – Folsom), Vice Chair 

Higher Education 

  • Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Monterey Park), Chair 
  • Assemblymember Carl DeMaio (R- Escondido), Vice Chair 

A full list of Assembly Committees and their membership can be found here.  

Senate Committee Leadership Assignments 

Appropriations 

  • Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), Chair 
  • Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrietta), Vice-Chair 

Budget and Fiscal Review 

  • Senator Scott D. Wiener (D-San Francisco), Chair 
  • Senator Roger W. Niello (R-Fair Oaks), Vice-Chair 

Budget Subcommittee #1 on Education 

  • Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Chair 
  • Senator Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh (R-Yucaipa), Vice Chair 

Education 

  • Senator, Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), Chair 
  • Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa), Vice-Chair 

A full list of Senate Committees and their membership can be found here.