Governor details reforms

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised ambitious reforms to
strengthen California in his State of the State address Tuesday
evening, calling for universal health care and alternative fuel
sources in light of global warming concerns.

Since his inauguration Friday, Schwarzenegger has styled himself
as a centrist looking to draw from both sides of the political
spectrum to bring change to California. The dramatic proposals
would amount to $43.3 billion.

Schwarzenegger maintained the importance of both K-12 and higher
education.

“His current budget actually increases funding for higher
education and cuts fees at community colleges. The governor has
invested money to offset tuition increases so that students
wouldn’t have to pay increased fees,” said Sabrina
Lockhart, a spokeswoman for the governor.

But some students remain skeptical that the governor will
actually prevent a rise in tuition the way he did last year.

“Last year he got our fee hikes out; he put enough money
in the budget to cover that and it’s uncertain that
he’s going to do that again,” said Tina Park, external
vice president of the Undergraduate Students Association
Council.

The governor’s education reforms emphasize efforts to
expand K-12 education, promising to build 15,000 new classrooms and
renovate an additional 40,000.

Stressing accountability and transparency within the school
system, the governor unveiled a plan to allow parents to monitor
school finances and policies online.

Drawing an ovation, the governor also announced plans to support
career technological education programs to help train students in
specific careers.

How these budget proposals will affect higher education remains
in question.

“K-12 is really suffering in the state of
California,” Park said. “Those students that benefit
from K-12 education need a place to go in college, and if
we’re not funding higher education in the right way, they
might not consider the California education system. Students need
to know that they have a place in the California education system
““ that it is accessible to them.”

Still, the governor has said some money will go toward higher
education as well. Lockhart said the governor’s school reform
measures include renovating classrooms and laboratories at
University of California and California State University
campuses.

Schwarzenegger has also announced a plan to guarantee health
care to more than 6.5 million uninsured Californians. Under the
plan, all children, including those who are in the state illegally,
would receive health care, as would adults who currently do not
have insurance.

But he also addressed welfare reform by proposing “full
family sanctions” in an effort to encourage state welfare
recipients to work by shrinking benefits to those that do not meet
a certain number of work hours.

Schwarzenegger also promised environmental reform with the Low
Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce the “carbon intensity”
of passenger vehicles by 10 percent in 2020.

Other pressing issues include reforming California’s
overcrowded prisons, as well as a proposal to use a $4.5 billion
bond to improve water infrastructure.

Lockhart added that the governor eventually plans to address
pension benefit reform and redistricting.

Schwarzenegger said he hopes to move forward with his proposals
despite partisan divides.

“The future does not wait,” Schwarzenegger said.

With reports from Bruin wire services.