Higher Education Coalition Leaders Laud Newsom Budget Proposal

On January 11, 2019, Dick Ackerman and Mel Levin, co-chairs of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education provided a statement on California’s 2019-20 initial budget proposal.

Newly elected Governor Gavin Newsom has released his initial Budget proposal for the 2019-20 fiscal year.  Higher ed fared better in the Newsom proposal than it did in previous years.

Budget Response from Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine—Co-chairs California Coalition for Public Higher Education:

“Governor Newsom should be congratulated for a constructive 2019-2020 Budget proposal that restores higher education as a State priority,” commented Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine, co-chairs of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education.  “The University of California, California State University and our community colleges will have additional resources to maintain quality, expand access and ease the cost burden on students and their families.”

All three segments of the public higher education system will receive additional funds:

•  The University of California will receive a $240 million increase (6.9%) in operating funds, plus an additional one-time outlay of $153 million, primarily for deferred maintenance.
• California State University will receive a $318 million increase (8%) for operations plus a one-time allocation of $264 million.
• California community colleges are slated to receive an added $401 million.  The State would now cover two full years of free community college.