(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno) announces his support for the reinstatement of $15.4 million to CTE Pathway funds and Future Farmers of America (FFA).
“I applaud the Administration for reinstating the $15.4 million for CTE Programs that are crucial to student success. Programs like FFA help to bring hands-on learning to the classroom and prepare students for future careers,” said Assemblymember Arambula. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in ensuring that programs like the FFA stay fully funded and continue to positively impact our next generation of students.”
Last week, Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula joined 64 other members in signing a letter to the Governor urging him to reinstate funds for CTE pathway programs such as FFA, “Under CDE, the California Partnership Academy Program has proven to be successful in providing school districts with flexibility to focus on career technical programs based on their local labor market needs.” The letter is attached here.
In the 2017 – 18 State Budget, Governor Brown proposed redirecting funds away from the California Department of Education (CDE) that support statewide Career Technical Education and would instead have been directed to the California Community Chancellor’s Office (CCCO). The CDE administered programs offer a significant educational and economic benefit to the State. A removal of these funds will severely impact programs that have proven to be successful in preparing our future workforce—a crucial factor given our state’s shortage of a career-ready workforce.
On Thursday, Assemblymember Arambula met with legislative leadership to advocate on behalf of FFA and was assured that the budget, which has to be passed by June 15th will include the funds for FFA.
Over the weekend, California Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross announced that the Governor is “committed to ongoing funding used to support programs for the 2017-18 and beyond.” The Secretary’s letter is attached here.
Below are links to audio of Assemblymember Arambula:
Assemblymember Arambula says he’s very pleased the FFA money has been restored. (:14)
https://caucus.asmdc.org/sites/default/files/audio/20170522FFAMoneyRestoredArabula1.mp3
Assemblymember Arambula says the FFA money will grow the farmers of the future. (:17)
https://caucus.asmdc.org/sites/default/files/audio/20170522FFAMoneyRestoredArabula2.mp3
Assemblymember Arambula says the FFA money had been removed from the budget in years past but is now set aside for FFA education. (:20)
https://caucus.asmdc.org/sites/default/files/audio/20170522FFAMoneyRestoredArabula3.mp3
Assemblymember Arambula says the FFA money is a great investment in the future of agriculture. (:17)
https://caucus.asmdc.org/sites/default/files/audio/20170522FFAMoneyRestoredArabula4.mp3