Assembly Democrats to support increase in UC funding
By Daily Bruin
Dec. 12, 2013 3:42 p.m.
Democrats in the California State Assembly said they would work for increases in funding to the University of California to prevent future student fee increases, according to a budget blueprint they released Wednesday.
The tentative blueprint of what Assembly Democrats want to see in the 2014-15 state budget – released by Speaker of the California Assembly John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Budget Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – indicates they will vie for increased support to the UC as the budget process begins next month.
The state has already approved a 5 percent base budget increase to the UC for next year, but the UC Board of Regents is counting on another $120.9 million increase in state funding.
Gov. Jerry Brown warned the regents at their board meeting in November that he doesn’t think the legislature will approve additional funding and that a tuition increase might be one of the only solutions to the UC’s budget situation in future years.
The Assembly Democrats’ blueprint, however, may indicate they intend to approve additional funding to the UC beyond the already-approved base increase.
“We are very encouraged,” said Patrick Lenz, UC vice president for budget and capital resources in a statement. “After years of declining state support during the economic recession, we welcome legislative initiatives to help meet the current and future needs of California by supporting the vital mission of our public university system.”
Lenz said additional funding would help the University grow its enrollment, potentially by 2,200 students, and reinvest in the academic quality of the UC.
“We thank the speaker for his support of the proposals outlined in our 2014-15 budget request and welcome further collaboration to help keep UC accessible, affordable and academically excellent,” he added.
In the blueprint, Democrats also said they plan to increase both the award amounts and number of Cal Grants for college students.
Democrats argued that, since the state is now expected to have a budget surplus after years of deficits, it is time to reinvest in the state’s services, including higher education.
Compiled by Kristen Taketa, Bruin senior staff.
