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Administration proposes new California Education Interagency Council with $5 million start; LAO urges limited-term funding
Summary
The administration asked the subcommittee to approve $5 million ongoing and 16 phased positions to establish a California Education Interagency Council to coordinate career education across higher education and workforce systems; LAO recommended three-year limited-term funding and questioned measurable success metrics.
The administration asked the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Thursday to approve $5 million in ongoing General Fund beginning in 2025-26 and 16 positions phased in over multiple years to establish the California Education Interagency Council, a statewide coordinating body recommended by the California Master Plan for Career Education.
Why it matters: The council is proposed to promote cross-sector coordination among education systems, workforce providers and employers to strengthen career pathways and equitable access to high-paying jobs. The Administration said GovOps would host and staff the council to convene high-level leaders from the state's education and workforce systems.
What was proposed and who would sit on the council - The administration described the request as $5,000,000 ongoing in 2025-26 and 16 positions to be phased in; staffing would begin, if approved, on July 1 following enactment. - Trailer bill language would specify eight members: the Secretary of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, the heads of the UC and CSU systems, the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the head of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the President of the State Board of Education, and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (each may send a direct report/designate to ensure attendance).
Recommendations and concerns raised - Alexander Bence of the Legislative Analyst's Office said workforce and education functions are currently spread across many agencies and regional entities. "It's difficult to know whether a new statewide venue will lead to better outcomes," he said, and recommended limited-term funding (three years) so the legislature can judge whether the council improves labor-market outcomes. - A Department of Finance representative said the administration views the council as needing ongoing funding because the education landscape continually evolves. - Several committee members expressed skepticism about creating another statewide body that may duplicate or overlap existing entities; one member said past collaboratives often did not produce results.
Public comment: Support from education and workforce advocates - California Competes and the Campaign for College Opportunity testified in support, urging a neutral convening entity to streamline investments and focus on student needs amid rising budget uncertainty. California Competes said regional and campus staffing constraints limit coordination and that the council would "allow people to work together more effectively and speak each other's language." The Campaign for College Opportunity argued the council is needed to coordinate higher education across UC, CSU and community colleges during budget uncertainty.
What the subcommittee decided: The proposal was presented for review. No formal vote or final appropriation was recorded on the record during the hearing.
Next steps: LAO recommended short-term funding to allow the council to demonstrate measurable improvements before committing ongoing resources; administration representatives said they would consult on details in trailer language.
