CSBA sues State of California for violating State Constitution and undermining voter‐approved Proposition 98
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2024) – In an effort to defend the State Constitution, protect vital resources needed for California students, preserve the integrity of the state’s school funding system, and respect the will of voters, the California School Boards Association’s Education Legal Alliance is suing the State of California for its failure to comply with Proposition 98, the voter‐approved school funding law.
“The California Constitution cannot be discarded for convenience or dismissed at the whim of the Department of Finance, the Legislature, or the Governor,” said CSBA President Albert Gonzalez. “California’s electorate passed Proposition 98 to provide a stable and predictable source of funding for public schools and community colleges. This lawsuit is an effort to defend the voters’ will, the State Constitution, and the resources our students need.”
See the full statement from CSBA President Albert Gonzalez on CSBA’s lawsuit against the state.
Read an analysis of the state’s unconstitutional actions that prompted the lawsuit.
View the Petition for Writ of Mandate CSBA’s Education Legal Alliance filed with the court.
CSBA is inviting the press to attend a 1 p.m. webinar today, Thursday, Sept. 26, where CSBA will discuss the lawsuit. CSBA President Gonzalez and CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy will join CSBA’s Legal and Governmental relations teams, along with external budget and legal experts, to explain how a provision of the education budget would undermine California’s school funding system, defy the State Constitution, and diminish resources for students.
Panelists
CSBA President Albert Gonzalez
CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy
CSBA General Counsel Kristin Lindgren-Bruzzone
CSBA Chief Governmental Relations Officer Patrick O’Donnell
CSBA Legislative Director Chris Reefe
Dannis Woliver Kelley Shareholder and Chair of the Board Ethics, Transparency and Accountability and Litigation Practice groups William Tunick
Senior Policy and Fiscal Advisor for Children Now and former K–12 Education Director of the California Legislative Analyst’s Office Rob Manwaring
Moderator
CSBA Chief Communications Officer Troy Flint
More information on CSBA's Proposition 98 advocacy can be found on its Budget Resources Page at: csba.pub/BudgetResources
CSBA is a nonprofit association representing nearly 1,000 PreK-12 school districts
and county offices of education throughout California.
www.csba.org