Above: UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz speaking at Thursday’s press conference in Sacramento to push back against the governor’s proposed roll backs to education funding.

At the state capitol Thursday, UTLA held a joint lobby day with other LAUSD employee unions and district leadership to advocate for increased and more sustainable public education funding.

This is the first time in nearly 20 years that union partners and the district have lobbied together for funding at the state level. Having reached an agreement that prioritizes investment in educators and staff, we can now look for opportunities to work with LAUSD on areas of shared concern — like the need for more state funding.

LAUSD school board members Rocío Rivas, Kelly Gonez, and Scott Schmerlson as well as acting superintendent Andrés Chait joined UTLA, SEIU 99, AALA Teamsters, and CSEA for meetings with the Governor’s office and several state legislators regarding the need for increased ongoing funding for schools.

Educator unions from Oakland and San Diego Unified Board President Richard Barrera also joined at the capitol to push back on proposed roll backs to the education budget. Ahead of the May budget revise, Governor Newsom is proposing to withhold $5.6 billion in state funding for K-12 education in violation of Proposition 98, which sets an annual minimum for public school spending.

UTLA President Cecily Myart-Cruz said at Thursday’s press conference in Sacramento that, in the fourth largest economy in the world, the state should close corporate tax loopholes before redirecting money away from education.

“These priorities are upside down,” Myart-Cruz said. “Keeping Prop 98 funds in our schools is simply a matter of following the law, and it is doing what is right. We are talking about urging the state to prioritize student investment over corporate welfare.” 

UTLA, LAUSD employee unions, and the district have also called on the governor in a joint letter to allocate additional funding for Special Education and Community Schools. Board member Rocío Rivas underscored the need for greater investment in these programs.

“We know these programs are making a difference,” Rivas said. “We see it in our schools every day. This is a time to invest in our students, protect the progress we’ve made, and fully honor the promise California made to every child.” 

Governor Newsom’s revised budget is expected to be public on May 14, 2026.