Special: End of the Legislative Session

On the last night of August, the California State Legislature wrapped up its 2019-2020 legislative session in a flurry. Many bills were passed and sent to the Governor, but several difficult issues were left unresolved. In this episode, CASBO’s dynamic team of advocates Sara Bachez and Elizabeth Esquivel share highlights. What were some of the legislature’s final actions (or inactions)? What are potential education budget and fiscal implications? And what is a frenzied last night of session in Sacramento really like, especially during this time of physical distancing?

Plus, Palm Springs USD Nutrition Services Director Stephanie Bruce joins us again to describe some recent good news out of Washington D.C. related to school meals.

KEY RESOURCES

• For details about education and budget bills that were (or were not) passed out of the legislature, read CASBO's "End of the 2019-20 Legislative Session NewsBreak." This NewsBreak also includes details about Gov. Newsom's new  “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” released on Aug. 28. 
• Additional information about budget and finance bills discussed on this episode:
  • SB 115 -- Makes technical amendments to K-12 education and early education associated with the Budget Act of 2020.
  • SB 820 -- Makes clarifying changes to education programs adopted as part of the Budget Act of 2020. These changes are described in more detail in the CASBO Newsbreak: New Education Budget Changes are Released in SB 820
• "Legislature fixes funding problem for growing districts and some charter schools," Sept. 2 EdSource article by John Fensterwald
• "USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through Dec. 31, 2020" press release from USDA

OUR GUESTS:

• Sara Bachez, CASBO Chief Government Relations Officer 
• Elizabeth Esquivel, CASBO Senior Director of Policy and Governance
• Stephanie Bruce, Nutrition Services Director, Palm Springs USD. Learn more about Stephanie on our March episode, "The Meals Must Go On"
• Plus a cameo appearance by Jeff Vaca, Chief Governmental Relations Officer, Riverside County Office of Education

ABOUT CASBO

The California Association of School Business Officialsis the premier resource for professional development and business best practices for California's school business leaders. Follow at @CASBO.


YOUR SERIES GUIDE
Paul Richman is a public education advocate and consultant. edfundingca@gmail.com and @pjr100