California Proposition 98 (1988)
Encyclopedia
California Proposition 98 requires a minimum percentage of the state budget to be spent on K-14 education. Prop 98 guarantees an annual increase in education in the California
budget. Prop 98, also called the "Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act," amended the California Constitution
to mandate a minimum level of education spending based on three tests. Test one, used only for 1988 to 1989, requires spending on education to make up 39% of the state budget. Test 2, used in years of strong economic growth, requires spending on education to equal the previous years spending plus per capita growth and student enrollment adjustment. Test 3, used in years of weak economic growth guarantees prior years spending plus adjustment for enrollment growth, increases for any changes in per capita general fund revenues, and an increase by 0.5 percent in state general funds.
This is accomplished by shifting specified amounts of property tax revenues from cities, counties and special districts to "educational revenue augmentation funds" (ERAF) to support schools statewide. Proposition 98 can be suspended only by a two-thirds vote of the California Legislature.
The initiative was a result of 1978's Proposition 13
, which limited assessed property taxes to one percent of a home's value in California and thus limited the amount of local funds that could be spent on school districts.
Proposition 98 has been attacked by some groups because it mandates "auto-pilot spending" and reduces the Legislature's budgetary flexibility.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
budget. Prop 98, also called the "Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act," amended the California Constitution
California Constitution
The document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of California. The original constitution, adopted in November 1849 in advance of California attaining U.S. statehood in 1850, was superseded by the current constitution, which...
to mandate a minimum level of education spending based on three tests. Test one, used only for 1988 to 1989, requires spending on education to make up 39% of the state budget. Test 2, used in years of strong economic growth, requires spending on education to equal the previous years spending plus per capita growth and student enrollment adjustment. Test 3, used in years of weak economic growth guarantees prior years spending plus adjustment for enrollment growth, increases for any changes in per capita general fund revenues, and an increase by 0.5 percent in state general funds.
This is accomplished by shifting specified amounts of property tax revenues from cities, counties and special districts to "educational revenue augmentation funds" (ERAF) to support schools statewide. Proposition 98 can be suspended only by a two-thirds vote of the California Legislature.
The initiative was a result of 1978's Proposition 13
California Proposition 13 (1978)
Proposition 13 was an amendment of the Constitution of California enacted during 1978, by means of the initiative process. It was approved by California voters on June 6, 1978. It was declared constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Nordlinger v. Hahn,...
, which limited assessed property taxes to one percent of a home's value in California and thus limited the amount of local funds that could be spent on school districts.
Proposition 98 has been attacked by some groups because it mandates "auto-pilot spending" and reduces the Legislature's budgetary flexibility.
External links
- Proposition 98 Primer
- http://www.edsource.org/pub_edfct_prop98.cfm
- http://www.edsource.org/pdf/prop98_06.pdf
- http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/2006/education/stories/PE_OpEd_Opinion_D_op_1119_kuhn_prop98_qa_edu_loc.6204c5c.html