Current Status
On October 8, 2010, the Legislature finally approved a state budget for 2010-2011. Although the Budget Conference Committee has passed a stand-alone budget trailer bill that would have, if passed by both houses and signed by the Governor, placed Prop. 49 back on the ballot, no such trailer bill was brought to the floor of either the Assembly or Senate for a vote.

On August 4, 2010, the Budget Conference Committee voted 9-0 (with Assemblymember Conway abstaining) to support a stand-alone budget trailer bill that would, if passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor, place an initiative on the ballot that would eliminate Prop. 49’s $550 million funding guarantee. Such an initiative, if passed by the voters, would instead result in the level of after-school funding being determined on a year-by-year basis through the annual budget process.

In 2008, the Governor vetoed a similar stand-alone bill and would be expected to veto this measure as well, if it is approved by the Legislature.

Prior Action
On June 15, 2010 the Budget Conference Committee, composed of members of the Senate and Assembly charged with reconciling the Assembly and Senate budgets and reducing the budget shortfall, considered the Senate’s proposal to put proposition 49 (ASES funding) back on the ballot. Denise Ducheny, chair of the Budget Conference Committee criticized the lack of categorical flexibility in the funding. Mark Leno criticized proposition 49 as ballot box autopilot spending. The Department of Finance opposed putting Proposition 49 back to the voters, stating this was contrary to the will of the voters. Nancy Skinner defended Proposition 49 citing high program quality and satisfaction with the program within her district. She also pointed out that putting proposition 49 back on the ballot would not result in any cost savings, and that there was still an unmet need for after school programs. This item was left open until Thursday when the committee reopens the budget discussion on education. To watch a nearly 10 minute conversation regarding proposition 49 in the budget conference committee, click here and scroll to 1:23:30.

CA Senate’s 2010-2011 Budget Proposal Would Place Prop. 49 on the Ballot
On May 27, 2010, the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee unanimously approved a recommendation from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) to place Proposition 49 back on the November ballot. To view video of the five minute discussion outlining the LAO recommendations and the resulting Committee discussion and vote, click here and scroll to 2:39:45 in the video.