California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a $222 billion budget proposal with plans to spend nearly record-breaking $48 billion on increased K-12 funding, including a $900 million to tackle the statewide shortage of teachers, especially in math, sciences and for special-needs students.
Education is made a priority in the $222 billion plan, which was introduced during a news conference at the California State Capitol in Sacramento on Jan. 10. The 52-year-old Democratic governor called for a “steady focus on the basics,” starting with addressing the state’s need for more educators by dedicating massive investments in teacher recruitment.