Wilson to Seek Extra Funds for Schools

Gov. Pete Wilson will offer $276 million in extra state funds for local public schools and propose new welfare, Medi-Cal and juvenile justice reforms this week, he said in weekend statements.

The school proposal was unveiled Sunday by Wilson in a written preview of the 1996-97 budget that he will submit to the Legislature on Wednesday. The welfare Medi-Cal and juvenile justice plans were outlined by Wilson earlier in a videotape preview of his State of the State address today.

Wilson said the extra $276 million--about 1% of the overall budget for California’s public schools--would be earmarked for priority programs.

They include $100 million for computers and other new classroom technology; $100 million more for teaching basic reading and mathematics; $66 million for extra school safety measures and $10 million more for school libraries.

“If our children are to be tomorrow’s leaders and compete in the global marketplace, we must ensure that they have proficient computer skills,” he said in a written statement announcing the one-time extra appropriation for new and refurbished classroom computers.

He didn’t give any details on the new reading and mathematics money except that it would be dedicated to teaching basic skills. The school safety money would be earmarked for alternative schools where discipline is stressed more for students who disrupt regular classes or are expelled.

“We will no longer tolerate and baby-sit the bad apples who virtually prohibit 99% of our kids from feeling safe and learning,” Wilson said. “We are sending a clear message: If you bring a weapon or drugs to school, or simply can’t follow the rules, you are out of there.”

The extra library money will be one-time funds allocated to a series of local pilot projects.

Wilson’s welfare and Medi-Cal proposals anticipate congressional enactment of legislation giving states block grants to spend as they wish on social services instead of dozens of allocations for specific programs, each with its own eligibility standards and spending mandates.

He said in the videotaped preview of his annual address to the Legislature that the goal of his welfare and Medi-Cal proposals is “not to just reform the flawed welfare system . . . but to replace it.”

“Our goal is to recast and to reinvigorate our culture so that hard work is rewarded, the rule of law is respected and individuals take responsibility for their actions,” Wilson said, promising “a top-to-bottom overhaul to give taxpayers a much better deal for their dollar.”

Wilson said crucial components of his proposed welfare reforms would be to reduce unwed pregnancies and to stress the responsibility of parents for their children and the responsibility of children for crimes they commit.

“We’ve got to end welfare policies that discourage marriage and reward irresponsible behavior,” Wilson said. He said he will also reform the juvenile justice system “so that it can’t provide safe haven to violent, vicious thugs just because they’re teenagers.”