LEGISLATURE MOVES TO AUGMENT HIGHER ED FUNDING

On May 24, 2018, Co-chairs of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education, Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine, provided the following statement in response to new funding for the University of California and California State University in the California 2018-19 Budget.

Both the State Assembly and Senate Budget Committees have voted to provide significant new funding for the University of California and California State University in the 2018-19 Budget.   The committee actions provided more than $100 million for UC above the Governor’s budget proposal and more than $200 million in additional funding for CSU.  Strong funding for California’s community colleges is also part of the emerging budget package.

“The Legislature is moving to recommit California to public higher education,” commented Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine, Co-chairs of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education.  “This is a major step toward strengthening both UC and CSU and opening the doors wider to deserving young Californians.  The Administration’s budget proposal for higher education was clearly inadequate and it is gratifying that legislators on both sides of the aisle have recognized the need.”

Students, faculty, parents, alumni and community leaders have rallied to the cause of full funding for UC and CSU.  In the Legislature, Assembly Budget Chair Jose Medina and Senators Steve Glazer and Ben Allen have led the charge.

The next step in the Budget process will be adoption of Budget versions by both the Assembly and Senate and then conference committee negotiations for a final package to be approved by both houses of the Legislature.  The final Budget negotiations will involve the Governor, as well as the Legislative leadership.  The deadline for passage of the 2018-19 Budget is June 15.