The California Department of Education is expected to make $2.4 billion in cuts over the next two years in a $12.8 billion budget, with $2 billion coming from state funds.
As of June 30, the state had a $4.3 billion budget deficit, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
California’s $1.4 trillion general fund budget is forecast to be $4 billion smaller than the $11.6 billion the state budgeted for the fiscal year ended June 30.
“The Legislature is currently considering a new spending package that includes funding for critical programs like education, critical infrastructure, critical health, critical transportation and critical research,” said Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, a Democrat who represents the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Legislature passed the new spending plan in December, but Gov.
Gavin Newsom vetoed it and said it was not in the best interests of the state.
The state will also make a $500 million cash injection to boost the state’s high school graduation rate.
Newsom, a Republican, also vetoed a spending package earlier this year that would have given more money to local schools for the construction of schools.
