Assemblyman Leland Yee: Gov.'s Budget "Sequel" a Flop

On Jan. 10, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released a budget proposal, which he referred to as "a sequel" to last year's budget. While the governor knows his movie lingo, he should have also known that last year's budget should never have been made into a sequel. Like many of his action movies, this budget production appears to be filled with destruction and devastation, especially to our most vulnerable citizens, our educational system and California's middle class.

While the governor's budget purports to increase K-12 school funding for the coming year, it actually does major harm to the future of education in our state by reducing Proposition 98 funding. The 1988 voter-approved Proposition 98, which requires 40 percent of all state general fund money go to education, would be permanently reduced by almost $3 billion under the governor's proposed plan.  Taking opportunities away from children is no way to ensure a stable and economically sound future for California. 

Additionally, college students will face added fee hikes and reductions in funding, hitting the economically disadvantaged students hardest. Under the budget plan, undergraduate students attending University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) campuses will face an 8 percent fee increase while graduate students face a 10 percent fee hike.    

While these fee increases are proposed in the name of balancing California's budget shortfall, they are a misguided effort by the governor to shift a disproportionate burden to students, making it more difficult, or in some cases impossible, for California's students to obtain the education they deserve. 

The students that attend the UC or CSU system and Community Colleges are the students that become California's teachers, nurses, medical technicians, engineers and public safety personnel. We are already facing a shortage of these critical professions, so we cannot continue to limit students' access to higher education.

Social Services Under Attack 

The successful California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS) program places individuals in the workplace and on the path to becoming self sufficient, contributing members to California's economy. The governor wishes to see the program cut by $449 million, denying services and severely reducing eligibility to thousands of families. CalWORKS recipients would face a reduction in grants, no state or federal cost of living adjustments and fewer support services. In addition, the cuts will deny much needed access to childcare for CalWORKS families. 

Also included in the budget is a proposal that would trigger across-the-board cuts if a two-thirds vote in the legislature to approve the budget were not reached within 45 days of the constitutional deadline. A proposal to slash every state program indiscriminately will not help our budget process, but instead would reward legislators who walk away from budget negations. As Democrats, we want to work with the governor, but we will not support a budget that disproportionately affects low-income Californians. Indiscriminate cuts could freeze services, such as food and medication to hospitals, crisis shelters and welfare recipients, among many others.

While the governor has proposed such draconian cuts that will harm seniors, working families, and the disadvantaged students, billions of dollars in tax loopholes for big business remain unaddressed. I urge the governor to keep his promises to our school children, teachers, the mentally ill and those trying to get back to work.

Last year, Gov. Schwarzenegger made numerous promises to get more aid for California from President Bush and the Republican Congress, even calling himself "The Collectinator." Despite three Californians in Congressional leadership, including the chair of House Appropriations, this budget has absolutely no increase in federal dollars. The governor should truly flex some muscle in Washington and use his political capital to get the money California deserves.

The governor's budget proposal will be reviewed by the legislature, which will provide suggestions for his May budget revision. It is vital that Californians make their voices heard during the budget process. Although some reduction in spending is unavoidable, we must approach our state budget thoughtfully and with as much input as possible from the people of California who must contend with the consequences of service reductions.

To read the full or summarized version of the Governor's budget, visit http://govbud.dof.ca.gov/home.htm.

Students Urged to Apply for New Cal Grant Scholarships

I encourage San Francisco students to apply for the revised Cal Grant Program before the March 2 deadline.

State of California Cal Grant awards provide eligible students full financing for tuition and fees at California schools. Every eligible student will get an award of up to $3,597 a year.

Students must apply for a Cal Grant by submitting a free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and a Cal Grant Grade Point Average Verification Form. For more information, call (888) 224-7268 or go to www.csac.ca.gov.

Leland Yee is the speaker pro tempore at the California State Assembly.