Increases education budget
Gov. Brown will increase California spending on schools by $1.4 billion in the coming fiscal year. The increase still leaves California in the bottom ten states in terms of spending per student. Assemblywoman Weber (D-San Diego):
We have to be aware of the fact that even though we have increased our funding in education, we’re still number 40-something in the nation, so we’re still far, far behind in terms of adequately funding our schools in comparison to other states.
Adopts strict vaccine law
Brown signs a California bill to strike California’s personal belief exemption for immunizations, a move that requires nearly all public schoolchildren to be vaccinated. The bill takes effect next year.
The science is clear that vaccines dramatically protect children against a number of infectious and dangerous diseases. While it’s true that no medical intervention is without risk, the evidence shows that immunization powerfully benefits and protects the community.
California joins Mississippi and West Virginia as the only states with such strict requirements. Medical exemptions can be granted to children with serious health issues. Children whose parents refuse vaccination can try to obtain a medical exemption or be homeschooled. The measure applies to public and private schools, as well as day care facilities.