California Budget Could Cut $5.5 Billion From Education

The Orange County (CA) Register (5/15, Leal) reports, "Orange County educators will need to prepare budgets that anticipate losing $5.5 billion in statewide school funding in 2012-13 – about $700 million more than previously anticipated – under a worst-case scenario outlined by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday." However, Brown has also proposed a ballot initiative for a tax increase that could restore some $17.3 billion of that money annually. The paper quotes Brown saying, "If we don't get these taxes, schools will suffer. Schools will look a lot better going forward if we get the taxes."