May 2 Oppose letter Governor's Proposed Budget on ERAF Charter School Eligibility

May 2, 2024

State Senator Scott Weiner
Chair, Senate Budget Committee
1021 O Street, Suite 8620
Sacramento, CA 95814

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel
Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
1021 O Street, Suite 8330
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Follow-up on Governor's Proposed Budget: Charter School Eligibility for Education Revenue Augmentation Funds (ERAF) – OPPOSE

Dear Senator Weiner and Assemblymember Gabriel,

On behalf of the Marin County’s Board of Supervisors – I write to follow our February 14 letter from the Marin County Executive conveying our strong opposition to the Governor’s 2024-25 budget proposal regarding Charter School Eligibility for Education Revenue Augmentation Funds (ERAF). This proposal would result in the permanent loss of $1.1 to $2.7 million annually in Excess ERAF funding to 65 local governmental entities throughout Marin County that deliver vital transportation, public safety, safety net, and other services to residents in our communities. Critically, it would not result in any more funding for schools.

We understand the difficult situation of the state budget this year, and that tough budgetary decisions must be made. However, given other proposed cuts to state safety net programs, infrastructure funding, and other state-administered services, now is not the time to also pass on additional ongoing – and disproportionate – cuts to a handful of counties who are facing difficult challenges of their own.

As you know, Excess ERAF results from ERAF property tax funds left over once the state has fulfilled its funding obligations to Marin schools and community colleges. Excess ERAF funds collected from Marin residents are then returned to Marin County, its cities and special districts to provide general public services. The services supported by Excess ERAF provide some of the most direct impacts on the day-to-day lives of residents including parks, libraries, public safety, affordable and workforce housing, economic vitality, initiatives to address homelessness, and other key local government functions.

Many residents who rely most on these services include vulnerable, low-income communities of color, older adults, those living with disabilities, and unhoused residents. We know these groups would be most affected by any ongoing cuts to Excess ERAF revenues because cuts to the general fund will mean cuts to discretionary services.

At the County of Marin, the largest discretionary, general fund-funded programs include Health and Human Services safety net programs like adult behavioral health treatment, crisis response, homelessness outreach and services, operational costs for permanent supportive housing, wage increases for In-Home Supportive Services provider, and more.

Additionally, the Governor’s proposal would result in approximately $440,000 in cuts to 58 special districts in Marin. Special districts deliver key services that our residents and visitors rely on: from sanitary districts to flood zone protection infrastructure to volunteer fire districts in West Marin, which provide emergency medical services to residents and visitors alike on a shoestring budget.

To be clear, we strongly support our public schools and are concerned with any funding cuts that impact learning and education. However, this proposal maintains the same level of state funding to our charter schools while actually reducing funding to public libraries. The net result is a loss in public education funding in our communities.

Finally, we not only believe that this proposal is poor public policy because of the reasons stated in this letter, but we also maintain that Excess ERAF funds are constitutionally protected for the localities that generate them. Please see attached February 14, 2024 from the Marin County Executive which highlights our legal concerns.

Thank you for your consideration of our concerns, and we urge the state not to move forward with the Governor’s proposal, which would result in permanent cuts to dozens of local entities without benefiting our schools.

Sincerely,

Dennis Rodoni, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors

Cc: Senator Mike McGuire
Assemblymember Damon Connolly

Attachment A: February 14, 2024 letter from the Marin County Executive
Attachment B: Estimated impact of Governor’s Proposal to Excess ERAF in Marin