Press Release - Assemblymember Portantino Reacts to Governor's May Revision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Eduardo Martinez

May 14, 2008 (916) 319-2044

 

Assemblymember Portantino Reacts to Governor’s May Revision

 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), Chairman of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, offered the following comments in response to the release of the Governor’s Revised Budget:

 

“The Governor’s May Revise is actually a step in the right direction for California’s three systems of higher education,” said Portantino. “Although the funding increase falls short of fully funding public higher education, the reversal of previously proposed budget cuts shows that the Governor understands the importance these systems play in educating our workforce and revitalizing our economy. As negotiations progress, I hope the Governor will continue to move toward fully funding all of our public education systems.

 

I continue to be very concerned that the additional 7.4% and 10% fee increases approved at UC and CSU today have made the promise of higher education unattainable for many. With fees having now increased 100% in the last six years, we simply must find a way to stabilize costs for our students and their families.

 

I am also concerned about some of our most vulnerable populations - the poor, aged, and disabled, who have become frequent targets of budget cuts year after year. We must find a way to bridge the deficit without balancing our budget on the backs of those who are most vulnerable in our society.”