Democratic spending plan will secure billions for California schools

California lawmakers are expected to approve on an on-time Democratic spending plan that includes a historic change in the school funding system to help poor and minority students.

Lawmakers are expected to begin voting Friday on a new $96.3 billion budget negotiated by Governor Jerry Brown and Democratic lawmakers. It benefits from California’s recovering economy and a recent tax increase and includes a $1.1 billion reserve.

Brown gets to claim success in limiting spending by using more conservative revenue projections. He also secured more than $3.6 billion in extra money this year that will channel additional resources to school districts with high levels of low-income students, those with low English proficiency and foster children.

Democrats can pass a budget without Republican support. The deadline is Saturday.