The California Teachers Association (CTA) has recently launched a high-profile attack ad targeting Governor Gavin Newsom regarding budget cuts affecting public schools across the state. This move marks a significant shift in the relationship between the powerful labor union and the governor’s administration.
The ad, which aired on television, criticizes Governor Newsom for his handling of the state budget and warns against potential consequences such as larger class sizes and thousands of teacher layoffs. It highlights the cuts made by the governor to address deficits and calls on lawmakers and Newsom himself to prioritize protecting public schools for the sake of students and communities.
This development is particularly noteworthy given the history of support that the CTA has shown towards Newsom. In the past, the union has contributed substantial financial resources to Newsom’s political campaigns, including $1.8 million to his anti-recall campaign in 2022 and $250,000 to his Yes on Prop 1 committee earlier this year.
However, despite this previous support, the CTA’s recent decision to fund an attack ad reflects growing dissatisfaction and concerns within the education community regarding the impact of budget cuts on schools and teachers. Lance Christensen, vice president of education policy for the California Policy Center and a vocal critic of the CTA, has argued that the alarmist tone of the ad does not accurately represent the budget realities faced by the state.
It’s important to note that Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes cuts of $150 per student compared to the initial January proposal. Additionally, the budget delays $8 billion in cuts to future years, a move that has been criticized by some as an accounting trick by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office.
The airing of this attack ad comes at a crucial juncture, with the deadline for an agreement on the final budget approaching on June 15th. As tensions between the CTA and Newsom’s administration continue to escalate, there is speculation about the potential for legal action by the union to challenge proposed school cuts.
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Overall, the CTA’s decision to fund and air this attack ad underscores the complex dynamics at play in California’s education landscape and highlights the mounting pressure on policymakers to address the challenges facing public schools in the state.