Statement on the California Senate and Assembly budget proposal

As the Trump administration continues its assault on the University of California, legislative budget leaders are standing strong in support of our nation’s premiere higher education system, rejecting the proposed 3% budget cuts to the UC system. We will continue to work with the Legislature to ensure these critical state funds are spent to benefit students.

We applaud our legislative leaders for including $44 million for community college part-time faculty office hours in their budget proposal. Increasing this funding will go a long way towards making sure our part-time faculty can give the individualized attention every one of our community college students deserves.

We are deeply concerned about the Legislature’s proposed cuts to Medi-Cal. An attack on health care is an attack on education, because when moms and dads are sick and can’t get care, their kids’ learning suffers, too. Though the Legislature’s plan rejects the most devastating  cuts proposed in the May Revise, this proposal still puts too many vulnerable Californians and families at risk. 

Facing deep economic uncertainty ahead, and a hostile federal government clearly out of step with our priorities, California must lead on putting working families first. Our elected leaders must not wait – now is the time to stand with working people in California and invest California’s immense wealth in a future for workers and our children.