Recap of Senator Cortese’s Sacramento Bus Trip for Education

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I want to thank everyone who participated in our 23rd Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education — an inspiring day of civic engagement, advocacy, and community partnership centered on strengthening public education in California.

This year, nearly 200 educators, students, parents, labor leaders, nonprofit partners, and community advocates from across Santa Clara County traveled with us to the State Capitol to engage directly with lawmakers and gain firsthand insight into California’s legislative and budget process during one of the most important times of the year: the Governor’s May Budget Revise.

What began more than two decades ago as a small group of concerned residents has grown into a powerful annual tradition focused on increasing public awareness and participation in education policy. 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.

Throughout the day, participants attended an interactive speaking program at the Secretary of State’s Auditorium, enjoyed a Capitol group photo, received special Floor Introductions in both the Senate and Assembly Chambers, and visited the Senate and Assembly Galleries to briefly observe Session in action.

One of the highlights of this year’s program was discussing my Senate Constitutional Amendment 5 (SCA 5), which would equalize per-pupil funding across California school districts so all students receive equitable educational resources and opportunities regardless of where they live. Equal educational opportunity has remained the central theme of the Bus Trip for Education for more than 20 years.

Participants also heard directly from legislative leaders, education advocates, labor representatives, and members of the Governor’s Administration regarding California’s state budget, education funding priorities, and current legislative proposals impacting students and families.

This year’s distinguished speakers included:

  • Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón (District 21)
  • Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Mike McGuire (District 2)
  • Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (District 19)
  • Senator John Laird (District 17)
  • Assemblymember Darshana Patel (District 76)
  • Assemblymember Lori Wilson (District 11)
  • Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (District 66)
  • David Schapira, Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Education
  • Nichole Muñoz-Murillo, Governor Newsom’s Office
  • Seth Bramble, California Teachers Association
  • Ron Walker, California School Employees Association

Speakers emphasized the importance of protecting education funding despite ongoing budget challenges, investing in literacy and math achievement, expanding teacher support programs, maintaining higher education access, and ensuring California continues to prioritize students, families, and educators.

Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón reflected on how the challenges students face outside the classroom often show up inside the classroom, underscoring the importance of supporting the whole child. “During my time as an educator, it became clear that what our students were going through outside the classroom showed up in our classrooms,” Senate pro Tempore Limon said.  She further emphasized the importance of increasing access to higher education, especially for low-income students, so that they may have opportunities they would otherwise not have before. 

Senate President pro Tempore Emeritus Mike McGuire reminded attendees that public schools are the backbone of our communities and reaffirmed the Legislature’s commitment to defending public education through both policy and budget investments. “That’s what we’ve made perfectly clear: we’re going to the mat for public education - backing our words with action by passing laws and crafting a budget that protects students, families, and teachers here in our Golden State,” declared Senator McGuire. 

Assemblymember Lori Wilson highlighted the state’s continued commitment to education even during difficult fiscal conditions, including major investments in teacher training, special education, literacy, and math support programs. “Major funding includes a record $5 billion block grant for teacher training and support, the largest special education increase in state history, and $500 million in new money to help students improve literacy and math skills - especially in schools with the greatest needs,” said Assemblymember Wilson. 

Senator John Laird discussed ongoing budget negotiations and the Senate’s efforts to stabilize California’s fiscal future while protecting Proposition 98 funding obligations, maintaining support for students and families, and building long-term reserves. “The Senate’s framework prioritizes paying off the $11 billion in settle-up for Prop. 98, maintains funding for the Middle-Class Scholarship, $5.7 billion allocated for new one-time funding, and building $40 billion in reserves,” shared Senator Laird. 

“Classified school employees are the backbone of our public education system,” said Ron Walker of the California School Employees Association (CSEA). “That’s why we’re fighting to protect workforce stability, strengthen due process rights, safeguard retirement security, and ensure that innovation in our schools never comes at the expense of the human connection students rely on every day. We must also continue advancing policies that reinvest in public education and provide the resources our students and school employees deserve.”

Assemblywoman Dr. Darshana Patel, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, also joined and shared remarks relating to her legislative efforts to improve educational equity and student success across California. Assemblywoman Patel highlighted her bill, AB 2468, which would expand inclusive educational opportunities and support services for students with disabilities in general education settings, as well as her bill AB 2555, which seeks to modernize and improve the process for reclassifying English learners as English proficient while strengthening support for multilingual students and families.

Assemblymember Gail Pellerin encouraged students to advocate on behalf of fair and free elections. In her capacity as a former educator, she also engaged with the audience and advocated specifically for Artificial Intelligence chatbot guardrails and youth mental health support. 

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh spoke to the group about the importance of financial literacy in school environments, in support of her bill, SB 1147. She also emphasized the continued importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in enriching education for all. 

David Schapira, Chief Deputy Superintendent of Public Education, focused his remarks on the role of the California Department of Education in the era of the second Trump Administration indicating that “much of [their] attention has necessarily shifted to preserving federal education funds, engaging in litigation against the federal government to prevent loss of education resources, and ensuring that educators can continue to focus on serving California’s students.”

Nichole Muñoz-Murrillo from the Governor’s Office attended and provided updates on public education from the Governor. Nichole emphasized how the state’s investments in education continue to deliver meaningful results for students and families. Under the Governor's California for All Kids plan, statewide assessments from 2024-25 showed gains in English language arts, mathematics, and science across all grade levels, with more students reaching proficient and advanced achievement levels. These improvements are supported by transformative investments in Universal Transitional Kindergarten, Community Schools, expanded before-, after-, and summer-school programs, and Universal School Meals. Together, these initiatives are helping improve academic outcomes, reduce absenteeism, support working families, and ensure students have the resources they need to succeed. Nichole also touched upon the state's continued partnership with the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges to expand access to higher education, advancing equity, and preparing students for success in California's workforce and economy.

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi emphasized his unwavering commitment to California’s students and educators. As former Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, Muratsuchi highlighted ongoing efforts to restore nearly $4 billion in Proposition 98 funding for California schools and underscored the importance of supporting student well-being and academic success. He also discussed his AB 1644; legislation aimed at establishing a bell-to-bell smartphone ban to improve learning outcomes and strengthen student engagement. Looking ahead, Muratsuchi stressed the need to address California’s teacher shortage through measures such as AB 2580 and AB 2060, which would expand teacher preparation opportunities and establish a statewide mentor teacher grant program to help recruit, train, and retain the next generation of educators.

Seth Bramble of the California Teachers Association provided attendees with an update on the state's education budget, highlighting several encouraging developments in the Governor's 2026 May Revision. He noted the proposal to provide up to 14 weeks of paid pregnancy disability leave for TK-12 and community college employees beginning in the 2026-27 school year, as well as approximately $2.4 billion in additional special education funding to strengthen support for students with disabilities. Bramble also emphasized the importance of Proposition 98's education reserve account, which serves as a safeguard that can be accessed during budget emergencies to help protect California's investments in public education.

The event also featured thoughtful dialogue and Q&A discussions about legislative priorities, school funding equity, workforce development, special education, higher education affordability, and the future of California’s public education system.

I am deeply grateful to our many partners and sponsors whose support helped make this year’s Bus Trip for Education possible, including the San Jose Japantown Lions Foundation, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, San José State University, AT&T, the San Francisco 49ers, the Latino Education Advancement Foundation, San Jose Behavioral Health, and the California School Employees Association.

Special thanks to Dr. Lisa Andrew and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation for helping bring students from the Eastside Education Initiative at Mt. Pleasant High School to Sacramento so they could experience civic engagement firsthand and begin shaping the future of our state.

I also appreciate the continued partnership of the California School Employees Association and its members, who work every day to ensure students have the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed.

This annual Bus Trip for Education continues to bring together every corner of our educational ecosystem — K-12 teachers, classified employees, higher education leaders, parents, students, nonprofit organizations, labor advocates, and civic leaders — all united around the shared belief that education remains the greatest investment we can make in our future.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us this year. I already look forward to welcoming you back next year for the 24th Annual Sacramento Bus Trip for Education.

Watch our video recap here:
https://youtu.be/VfZazMHJGuA

Sincerely,

Dave Cortese Signature

Dave Cortese, Senator
California State Senate – District 15