Sen. Liu’s bills advance to state assembly

The state Senate approved legislation by Sen. Carol Liu to improve funding for public schools, modernize adult education programs, and provide more revenue for local transportation improvements.
Sen. Liu has authored 11 bills that all passed the Senate by Friday (May 31, 2013), which was the deadline to approve and send to the Assembly any bills introduced in the Senate this year.
“I am pleased to receive widespread, bipartisan support for these important measures,” said Liu, D-La Cañada Flintridge and Chair of the Senate Education Committee. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Assembly as these bills advance.”
The Legislature has until September 13 to approve any legislation introduced this year. Governor Brown has until October 13 to sign or veto legislation. All of Sen. Liu’s legislation can be reviewed at www.leginfo.ca.gov. Sen. Liu’s bills include:
• SB 69 is the Senate’s version of a Local Control Funding Formula that will increase per-pupil funding for California students in kindergarten through 12th Grade, especially in disadvantaged communities. The proposal improves upon a similar plan by the Governor.
• SB 416 will help Caltrans sell state-owned homes that will never be needed for a proposed extension of State Route 710 in Los Angeles, Alhambra, South Pasadena, and Pasadena. Caltrans has rented out the houses for nearly 50 years, and this bill will remove barriers to selling the properties and using revenues for transportation improvements in the area.
• SB 173 updates and streamlines funding for adult education programs. The bill establishes processes and new authorities to align student assessment policy, performance data and accountability systems, teacher qualifications, and fee policy for adult education at public schools and community colleges.