SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - Governor Gavin Newsom's taking a marker to his budget and changing it across the board as the state feels the impacts of the pandemic. One of the biggest casualties is schools.
Back in January, the governor proposed $84 billion dollars in funding for education. But Newsom's revised budget would slash about $8.5 billion in funding, bringing education funding to about $75.5 billion dollars.
Assistant Superintendent Adam Hillman of the Shasta County Office of Education says schools district are facing a hard hit with these possible cuts. In Shasta County, Hillman says 25 districts and even charter schools could face a $30 million dollar loss.
“It's a significant impact and most of the school district budgets fund employee’s costs,” said Hillman. “It's certainly going to have an effect here locally.”
Hillman also says school districts could see a delay in cash flow from the state. Hillman adds, the state took similar action during the 2008 recession.
But across California, state workers could face a ten percent salary cut in the coming year. Cal Fire tells Action News Now, the agency is waiting to see what happens if the cuts are approved.
"Anybody that's told they could get a pay cut or could lose staffing that could absolutely affect people," said Cal Fire spokesperson Lynne Tolmachoff. "We're just waiting to see what happens as far as state budget goes."
Cal Fire's annual budget is about $2 billion dollars.