A new California Budget Project Policy Basics shows that California spends more than half of every state dollar on public schools and higher education:

California’s state budget supports an array of programs and services that touch the lives of all Californians – from schools and colleges to health care and public safety to highways and environmental protection. The state budget is primarily a local budget: Most state dollars go to local communities, health care providers, and individuals throughout the state. The largest share of state spending goes to education – more than 50 cents out of every state dollar supports California’s public schools, community colleges, and public university systems. The next largest share of state spending – 29 cents out of every dollar – supports a range of health and human services that assist low-income children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. More than 10 cents out of every dollar goes to the state’s prison system. The balance of the state budget supports other key public services as well as the institutions that comprise the state’s system of governance.
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