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January 28, 2025                                                                                                

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Assemblymember David Alvarez Reappointed as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance

Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego) is honored to announce his reappointment as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance for the 2025 legislative session. This key leadership role underscores his ongoing commitment to championing equitable and effective investments in California’s educational system.

“I am deeply grateful to Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” said Assemblymember Alvarez. “Education is more than a budget line item; it is an investment in California’s future. My parents did not have even a kindergarten education, yet California’s public education system allowed me to be a first generation college graduate, which has opened the doors of opportunity. As Chair, I remain committed to advancing policies that support our students, educators, and schools, ensuring all Californians have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education.”

During his previous tenure as Chair, Assemblymember Alvarez worked tirelessly to address challenges in education funding, focusing on expanding access to quality education, reducing disparities, and supporting infrastructure improvements. Assemblymember Alvarez has outlined several future priorities for the subcommittee:

• Protect and Support Undocumented and Mixed-Status Students: Changes in federal policies may threaten California students who are undocumented or have undocumented family members, making it more difficult for these students to enroll and succeed in college. The subcommittee will work to ensure that students receive as much financial aid as they are entitled to, and that on-campus programs providing legal services and academic support for vulnerable students are effective and well-resourced.
• Focus Financial Aid on Students with the most need: While state budget constraints may make it difficult to commit significant new spending for financial aid, the subcommittee will explore ways to incrementally expand and reform existing programs to steer aid to the neediest students. Too many financial aid programs have outdated rules and barriers that could be adjusted to better serve more students.
• Increase Access to Higher Education: The subcommittee will continue to push University of California and California State University campuses to expand enrollment of California students. It will also review the community college funding formula to ensure colleges are incentivized to enroll more students. Additionally, there will be a focus on programs that expand higher education opportunities for underserved communities, including projects like Chula Vista UniverCity and higher education programs within state prisons.
• Provide Oversight for Major New Increases in TK-12 School Funding: The subcommittee will ensure that new funding initiatives, such as California’s Universal Transitional Kindergarten, universal school meals, and after school programs, are effective in design and implementation.
• Expand Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Professional Growth Initiatives: Supporting a strong educator workforce across the state will remain a priority through programs designed to recruit, retain, and foster professional growth for teachers, such as Golden State Teachers and residencies.
• Implement Mental Health Supports for All Students: Recognizing the critical importance of mental health, the subcommittee will prioritize implementing robust mental health programs to support all students.
• Set New, Ambitious Targets for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF): The subcommittee will work to balance adequacy, equity, and student outcomes through new targets for LCFF, ensuring that funding meets the diverse needs of California’s students.

Speaker Rivas has also appointed Assemblymember Alvarez to the following committees:

• Budget Committee
• Education Committee
• Governmental Organization Committee
• Insurance Committee
• Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee
• Joint Legislative Budget Committee

Assemblymember Alvarez’s appointments reflects his steadfast dedication to serving the people of California and his district.