California Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Prop 28 For Arts and Music Education
California public schools will receive close to $1 billion for arts and music programs as voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 28, Tuesday’s Election Day results show.
“This is a big step forward for public education,” former Los Angeles schools superintendent Austin Beutner said in a press release. “It’s the first guaranteed increase in funding for California public schools since Prop 98 was passed by voters 34 years ago.”
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With widespread support, including celebrities such as Dr. Dre and Lil Baby, the measure’s 61.6% voter approval was expected.
Proposition 28, which provides funding for K-12 courses typically cut from school budgets during lean fiscal periods, won’t raise taxes. Instead, the measure creates an annual funding stream by requiring the state to direct 1% above what is legally required to spend on education for arts and music programs.
There will also be more funding set aside for public schools in low-income neighborhoods.
“A good education is the best path out of poverty for many and the promise of opportunity for all,” Beutner said.
