Last week, the governor and his supermajority allies in the Legislature agreed on final budget trailer bills for the new fiscal year. Spending will reach a record $307 billion. While I have concerns about many of the budget’s priorities, there is some good news.Bright spots include increased funding for education. There will be a historic increase in the Local Control Funding Formula base grant for public schools. There will be more money for home-to-school transportation, for school facilities, special education and instructional materials. Higher Education gets a boost too, including expansion of the Cal Grant program. Cal Grant eligibility will expand, with gains for adult learners and student-parents. Grants to students attending independent, nonprofit California colleges will in
