MAY REVISE: Brown’s revised budget - K-12 spared, others not so lucky

From Gov. Brown’s press office via San Francisco Chronicle | http://bit.ly/IUcEFQ

14 May  ::  Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. released a revised state budget today that protects funding for education and public safety while slashing $8.3 billion from government to close a $15.7 billion deficit and get California back on track.

The revised May budget slashes spending in almost every part of government, but proposes a 16 percent increase in funding for K-12 education, subject to voter approval.

The May Revision proposes cuts far deeper than those in the January budget. It increases cuts by $4.1 billion, bringing total cuts to state employee compensation, welfare, health care, higher education, courts, and other critical government programs to $8.3 billion.

If the Governor’s tax initiative does not pass in November, $6 billion in additional cuts will go into effect on January 1.

Cuts State Employee Compensation Costs
The revised budget includes a 5 percent cut to state employee compensation costs. This will be achieved through a reduced workweek or a commensurate reduction in work hours and pay.

Funding court budgets from alternative sources
This year’s budget restructures trial court funding, reducing General Fund support by $300 million on a one-time basis and requiring each trial court to use their available reserve. It delays court construction for a savings of $240 million and increases retirement contributions for state court employees. Altogether, these will result in $125 million in ongoing savings.