One of the biggest battles in the Legislature over California's new state budget is not over money, but over how much control the state should exert over local schools.
Schools get the biggest share of the state budget.
Legislators of both parties have been sympathetic to the pleas from Gordon and local school officials for fewer spending restrictions. Democrats, who control both houses of the Legislature, endorsed all of Davis' proposals. We pass a lot of laws to hold local schools accountable. Local school officials contend that they can do a better job of achieving the Democratic governor's goals with fewer restrictions. If all you can hire is counselors, that would not be helpful.