Potential Changes to Proposition 49 (ASES) Funding

Policy Update

Potential Changes to Proposition 49 (ASES) Would Allow Legislators to Reduce or Eliminate ASES Funding
The State Legislature’s Budget Conference Committee composed of  members or the California State Senate and Assembly, adopted language  for a budget trailer bill that attempts to repeal the guaranteed funding  allocation in Proposition 49, the After School Education and Safety  (ASES) program, which currently funds over 3,800 after school programs  statewide. This language goes further than originally proposed by  either house of the Legislature. It would submit an initiative to the voters that would give the Legislature the  authority to substantially reduce after school funding or eliminate  the state’s after school programs altogether. If placed on the  November Ballot and passed by California voters, the initiative would end the guaranteed continuous appropriation for ASES programs, and funding levels would be set annually by the Legislature.  In order to move any further, this measure would have to be part of a budget passed by  a two-thirds vote of the full Legislature, and be signed by the  Governor, before moving to the ballot.  If passed by voters in  November, this initiative could impact 2009-2010 after-school funding.

To view a 3 minute video of the legislative session in which this
language was adopted, click here.

For more information including a fact sheet, local data on after
school funding, and potential actions being suggested by after school
advocates, click here.

The Network Policy Committee is following this issue closely and is
committed to providing timely information to the field as it arises.