Email addressGet the news that matters to all Californians. Start every week informed.Construction sites in the hallways of Keyes Elementary School in Keyes on Nov. 15, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight LocalThe money will pay for repairs and upgrades at thousands of K-12 school and community college buildings.
The agreement comes after months of wrangling by lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who had to choose between two competing school facilities bills – one that included four-year colleges and one that didn’t., sponsored by Al Muratsuchi, a Democrat from Torrance, had the edge because it asked for less money and because four-colleges have their own means of raising funds. The bond needs a ⅔ approval majority in both houses and Newsom’s signature.
“We need help. It’s become an issue of equity — our students deserve safe conditions for learning like everyone else.” Unlike most states, California doesn’t have a dedicated stream of funding to repair school buildings. Money comes from state or local bonds — a system that, according to a recent report from the Public Policy Institute of California.