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Opinion: Invest in Our Students by Voting No on the Recall

Millions of California students, teachers, administrators are returning to school this week.

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San Diego, CA USA - August 20, 2021: The official voter information guide and official election balloting material for the California Recall Election, September 14 2021. Governor Gavin Newsom recall.

As California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, I spent every day working with Gov. Gavin Newsom to make sure they are walking back into safe environments that shield them from COVID-19 exposure and afford them an opportunity to learn effectively in person.

As a father of two girls and the son of a teacher, the health and future of our students and educators is the issue closest to my heart. As an Afro-Latino Californian, I know how easily our kids can be left behind and what leaders must do to prioritize equity from their earliest years.

That’s why I’m urging you to join me in voting NO on the rightwing Republican gubernatorial recall election. Your NO vote is a vote for our kids’ future.

Gov. Newsom’s leadership over the past year and a half — in unimaginably difficult circumstances — has been essential to helping get California schools back on track and to ensuring that our hardest-hit students and families have what they need to thrive.

Last month, Gov. Newsom signed the landmark $123.9 billion Pre-K and K-12 education package as part of his California Comeback Plan. I was an invested partner in drafting the plan, and I’m a proud supporter of it.

The funding includes:

  • $3 billion to convert thousands of school sites into full-service community schools, with expanded learning time, family engagement and wraparound health, mental health and social services.
  • $1.8 billion in ongoing funds for summer and after-school programs at all schools serving the highest concentrations of vulnerable students, growing to $5 billion by 2025.
  • $2.9 billion to match well-prepared teachers with the most vulnerable students, including $500 million in grants for teachers who commit to high-need schools and $250 million to attract expert teachers to high-poverty schools.
  • An ongoing increase of $1.1 billion to improve staff-to-student ratios at all schools serving the highest concentrations of vulnerable students.
  • $490 million to build a pathway for universal Pre-K with the adult-to-student ratio cut in half.
  • $650 million in ongoing funds by 2022-23 to support universal free school nutrition, including access to two free meals every day for all students, and $150 million to improve kitchen infrastructure and nutritional training.
  • Over $1.5 billion in ongoing and one-time increases to special education funding, including $260 million for early intervention for preschool-aged children.

Under the Governor’s California Comeback Plan, the state is investing more than ever before in our public schools to fundamentally transform them into the kind of complete campus every parent would want for their child: smaller class sizes, before-school and after-school instruction, sports and arts, personalized tutoring, nurses and counselors, and free school nutrition – paired with new preventative behavioral health services for every kid in California.

Schools will offer free universal pre-K to all four-year-olds in California and add 200,000 subsidized child-care slots over the next several years — bringing down the cost of childcare for many.  Included in the plan is provision for college savings accounts for 3.7 million low-income children in public school and lowers the costs of student housing and textbooks, making college more attainable than ever before.

We know that Black students of all ages have been left behind — and have suffered under the most recent Republican governors who intentionally under-invested in their education and health.

The threat of this recall should make all of us scared of a return to the times of inequitable funding formulas, walking away from arts enrichment and school-based health services.

Make no mistake: this is a Republican-led effort that wants to destroy our social safety net while promoting vaccine conspiracy theories and anti-mask intransigence, which are disastrous for kids who we know learn best with in-person education. Rightwing revolts against public health and public education are putting our students’ health and futures at risk.

We cannot let this happen. We need to defeat this recall. Every single California voter will receive a ballot by mail; yours may already be in your mailbox. There’s no need to wait until September 14, you can mail it back today after voting NO on the first question and leaving the rest of the ballot blank.

California’s students simply cannot afford to lose Governor Newsom’s leadership. We owe it to them to defeat this recall.

About the Author

Tony Thurmond is the first Afro-Latino elected California Superintendent of Public Instruction. A former social worker, he served in the California Legislature representing the 15th Assembly District in Oakland from 2014 to 2018.

Alameda County

New Data Show an Increase in Californians Enrolling as Undergraduates at UC Berkeley

UC and campus officials state that the increase in California undergraduates reinforces their dedication to expanding access to the state’s students and fulfilling the university’s compact with Gov. Newsom, and with the Legislature’s support, to grow in-state enrollment.

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UC Berkeley Campus. Photo by Keegan Houser/UC Berkeley News.
UC Berkeley Campus. Photo by Keegan Houser/UC Berkeley News.

The trend reflects an increase in Californian students enrolling across the UC system

By UC Berkeley News
Public Affairs Office

More Californians enrolled as new undergraduate students at UC Berkeley and other UC campuses in fall 2024 compared to the prior year, according to data released Tuesday by officials with the University of California systemwide office.

At the University of California, Berkeley, 7,657 new transfer and first-year students from California enrolled in fall 2024. Their percentage increased to 85% of all newly enrolled undergraduates, compared to about 80% in fall 2023.

UC and campus officials state that the increase in California undergraduates reinforces their dedication to expanding access to the state’s students and fulfilling the university’s compact with Gov. Newsom, and with the Legislature’s support, to grow in-state enrollment.

Last spring, UC Berkeley officials admitted fewer first-year and transfer students to compensate for prior admissions cycles in which more students enrolled than anticipated. However, they increased the proportion of California residents offered first-year admission, increasing that number from 75% for fall 2023 to almost 80% for fall  2024. This occurred by offering fall 2024 admission to fewer first-year, out-of-state students, and international students.

Additional enrollment data for Berkeley and the nine other UC campuses are available on the UC website.

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Business

COMMENTARY: Gov. Newsom to Present 2026 Budget: What Black Californians Should Watch     

The proposed $322.2 billion budget, including $228.9 billion in general fund spending, addresses a $2 billion deficit that Newsom is required to balance under state law. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) notes that while $16.5 billion in additional revenue from a strong economy, stock market gains, and higher tax receipts provide flexibility, long-term structural challenges persist. Spending growth, projected at 5.8% annually, continues to outpace revenue growth of 4%, with deficits potentially reaching $30 billion by 2028-29 without adjustments.

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iStock.
iStock.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media  

On Jan 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom will present his 2026 budget to the Legislature.

On Jan. 6, he previewed budget highlights while receiving the North San Joaquin Valley’s regional economic plan, a part of California’s broader Jobs First Economic Blueprint aimed at driving local and statewide development.

The proposed $322.2 billion budget, including $228.9 billion in general fund spending, addresses a $2 billion deficit that Newsom is required to balance under state law. The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) notes that while $16.5 billion in additional revenue from a strong economy, stock market gains, and higher tax receipts provide flexibility, long-term structural challenges persist. Spending growth, projected at 5.8% annually, continues to outpace revenue growth of 4%, with deficits potentially reaching $30 billion by 2028-29 without adjustments.

Newsom plans to save $1.2 billion over two years by eliminating 6,500 state jobs and cutting $3.5 billion through operational efficiencies like reduced travel and IT modernizations. Despite these measures, Newsom assured there will be no cuts to core programs. Temporary revenue boosts, including $7 billion from stock market-linked income taxes, offer short-term relief but are not sustainable, making California’s $17 billion rainy-day fund a critical tool for managing future fiscal pressures.

This budget will incorporate strategies discussed during a recent special legislative session convened to prepare for potential conflicts with the incoming Trump administration and to safeguard critical state programs against federal interference or defunding.

During the Dec. 2 special legislative session, lawmakers introduced SBX-1, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which allocates $25 million to the California Department of Justice to cover litigation costs for defending state policies against federal challenges.

The budget continues investments in education, healthcare, housing, and economic growth.

In the 2025-26 budget, Proposition 98 funding for K-12 schools and community colleges increases by $1.5 billion, reaching $116.8 billion, with per-pupil spending rising to a record $23,723. Of this amount, $2.8 billion will be available for new commitments, reflecting forecasts for growth and a 2.46% statutory cost-of-living adjustment. Initiatives such as Universal Transitional Kindergarten, expanded after-school and summer programs, and Universal School Meals are expected to strengthen educational outcomes.

Despite this funding boost, inequities persist in educational outcomes for Black students. Discretionary funds could support programs aimed at addressing these disparities, including investments in teacher training, mental health services, and restorative justice initiatives.

California’s higher education system is expected to benefit from increased funding to support affordability and access across its community colleges, California State University, and University of California systems. The budget will likely emphasize financial aid expansion, enrollment growth for underserved groups, and infrastructure improvements, while aligning educational programs with workforce needs to ensure graduates are prepared to fill existing gaps in the job market.

California’s housing crisis continues to disproportionately affect Black residents. Although Black Californians make up nearly 6% of the state’s population, they represent roughly 50% of its unsheltered homeless population. As of 2024, California’s homeless population exceeded 180,000, reflecting a 31% increase since 2007​​.

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) is anticipated to play an active role in budget negotiations. Historically, the caucus has championed policies that address disparities in education, housing, and healthcare impacting Black Californians.

The active involvement of stakeholders, including the CLBC, will be pivotal in shaping the state’s response to critical issues impacting Black Californians.

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Activism

Oakland NAACP President Stands on the Frontlines for Equity

With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”

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NAACP Oakland President Cynthia Adams. Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Adams.
NAACP Oakland President Cynthia Adams. Photo Courtesy of Cynthia Adams.

By Carla Thomas

For Cynthia Adams, president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, fighting for the rights of Black people comes naturally. With southern roots in Arkansas, Adams experienced firsthand the injustice and unfairness of racism.

“Growing up in the Jim Crow South, I experienced the unfair treatment of people of color and how faith can inspire communities to bring about positive and long-lasting change,” said Adams. Adams says a combination of her family and faith has kept her strong in the face of adversity and inspired her life’s work of advocacy.

Adams chose education as a career path — and a means to achieve equity and overcome racism. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and later received an advanced degree from California State East Bay.

Adams’ experience as an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) recorder, a counselor, a researcher, and a college recruiter has allowed her to be laser-focused on youth. She also served as the chairperson for the Oakland NAACP youth.

“The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. We want to ensure our citizens have equal rights and opportunities without discrimination based on race.”

As a partner with the State of California’s Stop the Hate campaign, Adams says the initiative is a step in the right direction. “It’s great that our governor and state created the Stop the Hate campaign and provides resources for victims of racism and other hate crimes,” said Adams. “The racism toward Black people has increased and our children are being targeted,” she continued.

“We, at the Oakland branch, created a declaration on racism that will amplify the needs of our community to combat racism,” continued Adams. “That declaration was adopted nationally.”

Bridging communities and collaborating is also a strategy for moving society toward justice, according to Adams.

“Through the NAACP, we build connections between communities and advocate for the rights of historically marginalized and oppressed individuals,” said Adams. “Collective action is the only way to advance civil rights and promote social equity.”

With education as a cornerstone, Adams emphasized the importance of youth having access to quality kindergarten through 12th-grade education along with college or vocational programming beyond high school. “I feel that it’s so important for our children to get a good education in K-12th grade, along with the colleges of their choice, especially with the HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).”

By taking stands on supporting former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong to supporting the recall of a mayor faced with a scandal that brought negative national press to the city of Oakland, Adams has always demanded more for her people, and better for Oakland, the city she calls home.

She expressed pride in the national organization’s announcement of a $200 million fund designed to empower Black funders nationwide. “We all know the health of a community begins with economics,” said Adams.

Adams says that strengthening Black businesses automatically sustains a community. “We’ve also got to educate our community on opportunities and teach our children critical thinking so that they can provide the next generation of solutions for society,” said Adams.

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