Last year, public schools and students sacrificed $2 billion in an agreement with the Governor to help balance last year's budget. In return, Governor Schwarzenegger agreed that the Proposition 98 funding would be fully restored in his budget this year.

However, the Governor broke his pledge with the education community and California schoolchildren despite the fact that state revenues are actually higher than what was projected when the agreement was reached last year. Even worse, Governor Schwarzenegger's so-called budget "reform" measure would permanently reduce school funding by nearly $4 billion.

"A majority of Californians oppose the Governor's budget cuts and give him a failing grade when it comes to protecting our schools," said Assembly Member De La Torre before parents, students, superintendents and school board members at Old River Elementary School, "Assembly Democrats will not break our promise to focus on improving public education."

California's schools received more bad news with the release of the federal budget by President George W. Bush last January. Nearly one-third of the federal programs being targeted for elimination in the Bush budget are in the Department of Education, including vocational education programs that the Governor has touted. Furthermore, under both the No Child Left Behind Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, California gets only half of what is owed from the federal government.

The slashing of education funding by the Governor and President Bush comes on the heels of discouraging reports about the state of California's schools. A RAND study released in last January found that California has the biggest classes in the country, as well as the second-highest student-teacher ratio. Our schools rank just above Louisiana and Mississippi. The study also found that California has a high capacity to fund its schools compared with its current effort.

In another survey, released by "Education Week," California is ranked 44th in the nation in per-pupil funding. Additionally, according to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, if California were to increase per-pupil spending by 25 percent today, the state would not even come close to New York, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Vermont, or Wyoming.

"The Governor needs to do more to get our fair share of federal funds for California's schools," said Assembly Member De La Torre. "The Governor campaigned for President Bush, and he claimed to be the 'Collectinator,' now he needs to make good on that promise."

"A world class education requires world class tools and technology in the classroom," Assembly Member De La Torre continued.