Spring Break
Colleges facing cuts, fee increases
Student leaders organize, fight back
Marlene Hurd
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: News
After breaking the record for California's latest budget this fall, taking 85 days, it has taken even less time since for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to declare a fiscal emergency.
One day after new state legislators were sworn-in, the governor, foreseeing that revenues won't meet expenses, made the declaration. It will require lawmakers to pass legislation dealing with the deficit. If the deadline is not met, the Legislature will stay in session without considering other bills, until the agreement is reached.
Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency earlier in January 2008 for the last fiscal year.
This second declaration comes just over a week after the "devastating" proposed mid-year cuts.
The California Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) has recommended increasing community college fees to $26 per unit. Fees would take effect in the spring semester.
"California community colleges are the economic engines for our state's economy, providing job retraining for unemployed workers," said Richael Young, president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC).
The SSCCC, in conjunction with UC and CSU students held a demonstration at the State Capital in November.
Similar protests and press conferences have taken place throughout the state at community colleges.
"With these unprecedented cuts, we will not be able to offer the same level of service to our community as we have in the past," said Peralta Chancellor Elihu Harris.
The Community College League of California estimates that the proposed budget cuts will close the door on over 260,000 current students.
This does not take into account the growing number of unemployed workers returning to school.
"The loss of a quarter of a million students is the equivalent of closing the University of California," said Scott Lay. "The state's rising unemployment rate and decisions by the California State University to limit enrollment will likely lead to even more students finding the doors to higher education closed."
The state's community college system possible $300 million cuts under the governor's proposed plan. This is in addition to the nearly $300 million cut from the initial budget finally passed in late September.
Republican lawmakers blocked a Democratic budget that tripled the vehicle license fee, while cutting billions of spending. The Republican governor blasted lawmakers encouraging them to "get off their rigid ideologies."
For information on how to get involved in the battle against budget cuts, email the Black Caucus at cccblackcaucus@gmail.com.
One day after new state legislators were sworn-in, the governor, foreseeing that revenues won't meet expenses, made the declaration. It will require lawmakers to pass legislation dealing with the deficit. If the deadline is not met, the Legislature will stay in session without considering other bills, until the agreement is reached.
Schwarzenegger declared a fiscal emergency earlier in January 2008 for the last fiscal year.
This second declaration comes just over a week after the "devastating" proposed mid-year cuts.
The California Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) has recommended increasing community college fees to $26 per unit. Fees would take effect in the spring semester.
"California community colleges are the economic engines for our state's economy, providing job retraining for unemployed workers," said Richael Young, president of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC).
The SSCCC, in conjunction with UC and CSU students held a demonstration at the State Capital in November.
Similar protests and press conferences have taken place throughout the state at community colleges.
"With these unprecedented cuts, we will not be able to offer the same level of service to our community as we have in the past," said Peralta Chancellor Elihu Harris.
The Community College League of California estimates that the proposed budget cuts will close the door on over 260,000 current students.
This does not take into account the growing number of unemployed workers returning to school.
"The loss of a quarter of a million students is the equivalent of closing the University of California," said Scott Lay. "The state's rising unemployment rate and decisions by the California State University to limit enrollment will likely lead to even more students finding the doors to higher education closed."
The state's community college system possible $300 million cuts under the governor's proposed plan. This is in addition to the nearly $300 million cut from the initial budget finally passed in late September.
Republican lawmakers blocked a Democratic budget that tripled the vehicle license fee, while cutting billions of spending. The Republican governor blasted lawmakers encouraging them to "get off their rigid ideologies."
For information on how to get involved in the battle against budget cuts, email the Black Caucus at cccblackcaucus@gmail.com.
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