Our communities face a range of challenges right now: in education, workforce development, and social justice. But Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature took a bold step towards sustainable, long-term solutions and proposed over $2 billion in college and career preparation initiatives for our California's young people. By connecting education to workforce development, this budget would prepare youth for careers in high-impact industries and set communities up for economic justice, if we do it right. It signals a timely investment in one of our biggest assets — adolescents — during the “decade of difference,” the formative time between 14 and 24 where identities, outlooks, and aspirations take shape.

Write to your state representatives and urge them to support the investments in college and career pathways in the K-12 Omnibus Trailer Bill.