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California and California Community Colleges Budget Crisis

Page as of Spring, 2004
(this is the most current version of this page.  We will update this page with 2005-2006 budget information, soon)

Governor Schwarzenegger's Budget Proposal  |  Budget Proposal for Community Colleges 2004-2005
Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Measure B  |  Measure B Information on the Sample Ballot
Latest California Budget News  |   California Community Colleges Budget Crisis 
Contact Information to Key Legislators and Gov. Schwarzenegger  |  Upcoming/2004 Events
 2003 Community Colleges Budget Crisis Page

On January 9, 2004, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger submitted a budget for the fiscal 2004-2005 year.  At first glance, it appears that community colleges do not have further budget cuts going further from our present year.  But it may be "the devil in the details" as there are significant changes in budget lines, state vs. local control, and how the monies are allocated.  The budget for community colleges and other aspects on the state also follow on a number of assumptions, including the passage of two state-wide initiatives that will be on the March 2nd ballot, Propositions 55 and 57.  Passage of the state-wide Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act and the Economic Recovery Bond Act are not guaranteed, and if one or both measures fail, there would need to be further significant spending cuts or an increase in taxes.   Most notorious for students, directly, however of Schwarzenegger's budget proposal are the following:

1.  That there will be yet another tuition increase.  The cost per unit would climb from $18 a unit to $26 a unit.  This academic year, the tuition has already been raised from $11 a unit to $18 a unit-- meaning a $15 increase, more than twice the tuition within a span of two years.

2.  There will also be a tuition increase for any student who already has a bachelor's or comparable degree to $50 a unit.  This move could seriously impact students who are returning to college for certification or job skills.

While the tuition students spend to community colleges go directly to the general state budget, it is rather disingenuous that this year's budget proposal, just like Governor Gray Davis's proposal last year makes the claim that funds are reimbursed by the raise in tuition.  The monies raised do not go directly to the colleges. 

With many needs and improvements for both Chabot and Las Positas college campuses and less reliability on state funds, regardless, as current budget cuts have already had an impact, the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District decided to pursue a bond which is on the March 2nd ballot in the communities within the District.  Passage of this bond would mean necessary repairs and upgrades for Chabot College coming from reliable locally controlled funds.  Known as Measure B, its official title is the Community College Job Training, Repair/Safety Measure (a copy of Measure B as stated in the Sample Ballot and Voter Information Pamphlet is available at the reference desk). 

Regardless, with deep cuts already made to California community colleges and the state of California continuing to flounder in a budget crisis, the challenges of providing quality in higher education continue.  With even more proposed budget cuts for the University of California and California State University colleges in place in Governor Schwarzenegger's budget even with all state initiatives passing, the challenges continue to grow.  Stay tuned for more links and more information.

New Information:  Measure B, Proposition 55 and Proposition 57 have all passed!

New Information:  There will be a protest rally regarding the proposed tuition hikes in Sacramento on March 15, 2004

OLD BUDGET CRISIS PAGE
        http://www.chabotcollege.edu/Library/abby/BudgetCrisis2.html
 from 2003-- Read articles and concerns and impact when the state budget crisis first hit last year

Latest California Budget Crisis News/Information:

• Sacramento Bee's Budget Watch
          http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/ca/budget/
   

• Sacramento Bee's Politics
          http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics
   

• California Capitol Hill Bulletins
          http://www.calinst.org/Bull.htm
   

• California Budget Project
          http://www.cbp.org
   

• California Budget Project's Analysis of Schwarzenegger's Budget Proposal
          http://www.cbp.org/2004/040109govbudgetfinal.pdf
   

• Keep the Doors Open: Californians for Community Colleges
          http://www.keepthedoorsopen.org/
  Navigation for the site is on the right side of the page, most of which requires you to scroll down to find the links

Information Resources |  General News

Upcoming Events in 2004

• Regional Rally in San Jose: February 20, 2004 (Cesar Chavez Park, 12 noon - 2 p.m.)
  Chabot College will join local CSU, UC and other community college students to protest the raise in tuitions at all campuses
   
• Statewide Rally in Sacramento: March 15, 2004
  Mark this date on your calendar and stay tuned for more details!

Elected Representatives' Contact Information

Writing Letters to Your Elected Representatives
Tips on how to write effective letters.  Includes a sample letter

Below are names of elected representatives in the general area of Chabot College.  If you are not sure who are your elected representatives, enter your zip code at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html  While E-Mail addresses are listed below, please keep in mind that hand-written letters usually receive more attention.

More categories and sites to come. 02/17/04