Senator Dave Cortese Recaps 23rd Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education

SACRAMENTO, CA — California State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) today reflected on the success of his 23rd Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education, which brought nearly 200 Silicon Valley educators, students, parents, labor leaders, and community advocates from Santa Clara County to the State Capitol for a day of civic engagement and advocacy focused on California’s education system.

For more than two decades, Senator Cortese has organized the annual trip to provide residents from across Senate District 15 with an opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers and gain firsthand insight into California’s legislative and budget process. Held annually around the Governor’s May Budget Revise, the trip centers on public education funding priorities, legislative proposals, and advocacy efforts impacting schools, colleges, and universities throughout the state.

“What began as a small group of concerned residents has grown into a powerful annual tradition dedicated to increasing public awareness and participation in education policy,” said Senator Cortese. “As a former East Side Union High School District Board Trustee, I have spent decades fighting to address educational inequities and ensure every student has access to the resources and opportunities they deserve regardless of their zip code.”

During this year’s advocacy day, Senator Cortese highlighted his Senate Constitutional Amendment 5 (SCA 5), a proposal to equalize per-pupil funding across California school districts so that all students receive equitable educational resources regardless of where they live. Equal educational resources and opportunities have remained the central theme of the Bus Trip for Education for more than 20 years.

Participants heard from legislators, education leaders, labor advocates, and representatives from the Governor’s Administration regarding the state budget, education funding priorities, and current legislative initiatives affecting California students and families.

"The Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SV[e]F) is proud to stand alongside Senator Cortese as both a partner and sponsor in his commitment to education advocacy. This year, we are honored to bring 20 students from our Eastside Education Initiative at Mt. Pleasant High School to Sacramento. These are young people who are not just watching history but beginning to shape it. Partnerships like this one remind us that the most powerful investment we can make is in the voices of students who have so much to contribute,” said Dr. Lisa Andrew, President and CEO, Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SV[e]F)

“The California School Employees Association, on behalf of our more than quarter million members across the state,  is proud to support the Sacramento Bus Trip for Education because it gives students, educators, school employees and community advocates a direct voice in the decisions that shape our public schools. Classified employees see every day what our students need to learn, grow and thrive. Bringing that perspective to the State Capitol is an important reminder that fully funding public education is not just a budget priority, it is a commitment to California’s students, families and communities,” said Adam Weinberger, President of the California School Employees Association.  

Senator Dave Cortese represents Senate District 15, which encompasses San Jose and much of Santa Clara County in the heart of Silicon Valley. Visit Senator Cortese’s website: https://sd15.senate.ca.gov

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