Huff Bill Could Allow Ads on School Buses

Press Release from the office of State Senator Bob Huff:

Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) is authoring legislation that would create a new source of funding for all school districts in California. SB 1295 would permit individual school districts to sell advertising space on the exterior of its school buses. Furthermore, the Huff legislation offers flexibility to districts by giving them full authority over how to spend the revenue that results from advertising sales.

“This isn’t a one-size fits all mandate from Sacramento,” explained Senator Huff. “It’s an option. My legislation doesn’t force school districts to do anything. It merely gives them the option to participate in such a program.”

Advertising on the exterior of school buses isn’t a new idea. Similar laws have already been enacted in seven states, most recently in New Jersey and Utah.  Under current California law, school districts already sell advertising space inside school buses, on the exterior of campus buildings, at lunch tables, in hallways, in school-related publications (such as newspapers and yearbooks) and in sports facilities.

The Huff legislation comes on the heels of a Department of Education study that revealed 127 California school districts face severe financial jeopardy because of state budget cuts. Seven districts were given “negative certifications” in the The First Interim Status Report for fiscal 2011-12, which means they do not have the resources to meet financial obligations for the current or upcoming school years.

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction blames the problem on “deep cuts made to school funding,” which occurred under a majority vote budget that contained more than $1 billion in trigger cuts. No Republican supported the budget plan or the cuts ordered by the Governor last December.

“California’s fiscal mismanagement has resulted in budgetary woes for our state’s public education system,” said Senator Huff. “Extracurricular programs have been cut and funding for pupil transportation has been threatened. My legislation provides a new and needed source of funding for our schools at no cost to taxpayers.”