The Governor's January 2026 budget proposes withholding $5.6 billion from the Proposition 98 Minimum Funding Guarantee — the voter-approved constitutional protection that sets a funding floor for California's public schools and community colleges. That's roughly $900 per student that would be stripped from classrooms across the state.

Proposition 98 was enacted by California voters in 1988 to ensure stable, predictable funding for public education. It is enshrined in the California Constitution. This proposal would fund schools at $115.9 billion — more than $5 billion below the $121.4 billion minimum required by law. For the third consecutive year, the state budget proposes manipulating or withholding these guaranteed funds rather than honoring its constitutional obligation to students.

What's at stake for children and families: These are not abstract dollars. Withheld funds mean fewer teachers, larger class sizes, reduced counselors, diminished mental health services, and cuts to programs that students depend on every day. Many districts are already absorbing the impact of prior years' manipulations and the expiration of federal pandemic relief funding. California State PTA strongly opposes this proposal and calls on the Legislature to reject it.

What you can do: Use the form on this page to send a message to your state legislators urging them to reject the Governor's proposal to withhold $5.6 billion from Proposition 98 and to restore full, voter-approved school funding for California's 5.8 million public school students. 

Note: If prompted for a topic, select "budget" or "educational concerns/issues." The message is editable — if adding a personal story, watch for character limits.