Candidate Promise Tracker
Tracking Candidate's Campaign Promises & Goals
Education Information
In his 1999 State of the State speech, Governor Davis said education was his "first, second and third priority." During the 2002 Gubernatorial campaign, he reiterated his commitment to education, saying it was one of his top priorities. He said he wanted to continue with reforms already in motion and do his best to protect education funding in upcoming budgets.
So what has happened since?
In his January budget plan, Governor Davis proposed significant cuts to education. Around 30,000 teachers received layoff warnings in March, school districts faced large fiscal cuts, and 64 school programs were slated for across-the-board cuts.
In March and April, Davis signed bills that totaled approximately $2.6 billion in mid-year cuts to education for the 2002-2003 Budget-year. However, the Legislative Analysts Office said the cuts did not translate to cuts in programs.
In his May revised budget proposal, Davis lessened the blow to education by reducing the cuts for the next budget year (2003-2004). He scrapped his January proposal for across-the-board cuts to school programs (categorical programs), and instead proposed cuts to targeted programs. Davis also protected his $1.7 billion class-size reduction program and his accountability program.
Ending a four-week budget impasse, both the Senate and the Assembly approved a budget plan. Davis signed the 'compromise budget' on August 2nd. K-12 schools were spared the worst cuts and funding remained essentially the same as Davis had proposed in his May budget plan. Proposition 98 funding was protected. But, some school programs did receive cuts, including maintenance, summer school, and instructional materials.
In September, Davis announced the allocation of $1.7 billion in school construction bond funds to upgrade and expand overcrowded schools.
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Promise
"In spite of a national recession, our economy has grown from the 7th largest to the 5th largest in the world."
"But there's more to do - on our schools, our environment, our economy, and on energy."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Announced an estimated $35 billion budget deficit in December, and a $38 billion deficit in May.
- Said in his State of the State Address that his 'most immediate priority' is jobs.
- Tripled the vehicle license fee in June.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' on Aug. 2nd
- Appointed President Clinton's budget chief to lead the effort to fix the budget.
- Signed legislation reforming the state's workers' comp system.
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Promise
"I will do everything humanly possible not to cut one penny from public safety. If we can increase it, we will."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Proposed an overall increase in prison funding in his budget plans.
- Vetoed an early-release prison bill.
- Proposed to preserve funding for local law enforcement programs in his May budget plan.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with some cuts to prisons and local law enforcement programs.
- Signed gun safety legislation in September.
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Promise
"My fellow Californians, together we've increased education funding by 30% -- and student achievements scores are up three years in a row. But there's so much more to do."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Proposed significant cuts to education in his January budget plan.
- Approved nearly $2.6 billion in mid-year (2002-2003) cuts to education.
- Reduced proposed January cuts and protected class-size reduction and accountability programs in his new May budget plan.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with cuts to education similar to those proposed in his May budget plan.
- Announced in September $1.7 billion in bonds to upgrade overcrowded schools.
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Promise
"I believe we must continue protecting our coastline, our air, water."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Signed a "polluter pays" bill increasing fees for air and water polluters.
- Announced funding for coastal conservation and parkland improvement.
- Proposed some reductions to environmental programs in his budget plans.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with additional cuts to environmental programs.
- Signed coastal protection and air pollution bills.
- Signed the electronic waste recycling bill.
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Promise
“I won’t be completely satisfied until every child in the state of California has access to quality, affordable health care.”
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Proposed to protect children's health care coverage in both budget plans.
- Requested federal aid to insure more children statewide.
- Approved cuts to the Healthy Families outreach program.
- Proposed and approved cuts to Medi-Cal programs.
- Signed a 'compromise budget': children's health care coverage was protected and proposed cuts to Medi-Cal were reduced.
- Signed a landmark bill (SB2) that will require many businesses to provide health insurance to their employers.
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Promise
"...No governor ever spent as much money as we spent this year in real dollars, accounting for inflation, on transportation improvements. We will continue to do that for the next two to three years."
Highlights
Since he was re-elected, Governor Davis has…
- Said in his State of the State Address that he "will direct his agencies to accelerate freeway and public transit projects by one year."
- Proposed an estimated $1.5 billion in cuts to transportation.
- Signed a 'compromise budget' with cuts to transportation.
