A disturbing number of people are blaming public sector unions for states’ current budget crises (also here, hereand here). Their basic argument is that unions have seriously exacerbated budget shortfalls because a significant proportion of state spending is tied up in employee compensation, and unions, via collective bargaining, increase salaries and benefits. As a result, so the line goes, unions have created unsustainable expenses for state governments in a time of declining or still-recovering revenues.
Needless to say, the relationship between unions and state revenue/spending is complex. The claim that unions are responsible for state budget gaps (or at least for larger gaps) is therefore extremely difficult to examine, especially during a fiscal crisis. Nevertheless, we can take a quick, modestly rigorous look.
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson issued the following statement after hearing testimony from parents about the Parent Empowerment Law during today's State Board of Education meeting. The statute has been incorrectly identified as the "parent trigger" law.
"I'm pleased that so many parents took the time and made the significant effort to come to Sacramento to address the State Board of Education regarding the Parent Empowerment Law," said Torlakson. "Parent involvement is essential to the success of our students. While no action was taken today, I look forward to the Board's future discussion about the current emergency regulations in place and to the formation of a working group to craft long-term regulations that treat all parties fairly and provide a transparent, informative, and workable process."
The Parent Empowerment law (SBX5 4) was part of legislation passed last year to help California pursue Race to the Top federal funding.
For information on the emergency regulations on the Parent Empowerment law, please visit Parent Empowerment Emergency Regulations - Proposed Rulemaking & Regulations.
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