Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance
- Mike Fong
Legislator
Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for your patience. As you know, we are having several Budget Subcommittees all meeting at the same time, and I was at speaking on behalf of an issue related to education, CSU Legal services that is technically in a different Committee. So. But we've discussed that here as well.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So I apologize for that slight delay. But with that, we will begin our Assembly budget Subcommitee number three on education finance. I am Chair David Alvarez, and today is an opportunity for Members of our Assembly to get clarity on any issues that are pending in the budget act for this year. And sub three.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Obviously, not every Member gets to serve on this Committee. And so this is an opportunity that our budget chair and our Assembly speaker has identified as an opportunity for everyone to get a chance to share their thoughts and also to ask questions that perhaps we have not been able to get an answer for through this process.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So I know that there are several questions that I have asked through this process that still remain to be answered.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
We will make sure that we get those to the respective organizations, agencies or institutions in order for them to be answered prior to us taking full action in the next couple of weeks, I wanted to start, obviously, Members, you all have an opportunity to ask questions and also provide comments here at the beginning.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But I wanted to set the stage, as we have now coming here, to the end of our public process with this robust public process.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
I should say this is our 12th meeting of this Committee, going back to February, where we began our Committee's work with the presence of students from our three segments of higher education, and really to be focused continuously on student access, success and opportunity. And I think the hearings have all been centered around that.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But on the k 12 issues, there are some concerns that remain that I want to highlight and once again bring to everyone's attention the architecture of Proposition 98. We need to make sure that schools are held harmless, but address the real prior year shortfall that exists. That is still something that remains to be answered.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
We want to preserve rainy day funds as much as possible and not rely on those funds for new or ongoing expenditures as much as we possibly can. Avoid that. Protecting ongoing priorities and making some real difficult choices that are one time, hopefully in nature.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
We need to continue the momentum on some of the growth that's been happening thanks to the investments that certainly the Assembly, but in conjunction with the Legislature and the Governor, including school meals, after school programs, universal pre k and ethnic studies, to name a few of the important investments.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So we have been consistent, saying no new budget, saying no to new budget year spending with rainy day funds.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
In particular, we want to protect the Golden State teachers program, leverage bonds for priorities at risk such as childcare and TK facilities and electric vehicle school buses and most importantly, to keep the harm away from kids and their learning, prevent layoffs.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
On the higher education side, top issues that remain is ensuring that we move forward on Cal grant reform that has been very consistent by colleagues in the Assembly. I am certain you will hear from some of them here today. CSEC has developed phase in options that could launch the program in 2526 and that is my goal.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
I hope we reach that together, protecting students and core campus operations from cuts to the UCCSU and CSU wherever possible, and to ensure our top priority for UC and UCSU is that enrollment continues to grow with a particular emphasis on our California students.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
This is a much higher priority to us than any of the other goals in the compact, as we discussed as recently as last week. So with that, I think that's a summary of where we've been. If you've been part of this journey for the last 11 meetings, this has been consistent and here we are today.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So want to hear feedback for sure from the public. But at the moment I'd like to turn it over to my colleagues for their thoughts and their comments or questions. Miss Carrillo, would you like to start? Welcome.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
Thank you. Let me get my notes out. Well, again, thank you Mister chair and all of the Committee Members and the staff for your diligent work related to this particular Committee and the future of education in the State of California. And thank you for allowing noncommittee Members like myself to come express our thoughts and some concerns.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
So I'm here for one singular particular reason. I am the chair of the Select Committee on Latina Inequities, a Committee that was established a few years ago by the Latino caucus and has evolved since then. We have worked for numerous years to create really an equitable lens towards Latinas in the State of California.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
We are the Latinas, I'll include myself in that are the largest growing demographic in the state, far surpassing our male counterparts. In fact, in the Latino caucus there are more women. Now.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
We have discussed being called a Latina caucus as we move forward, but I want to bring to light something that has taken us quite a few years to accomplish and we moved it forward in the 2022 to 23 budget cycle.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
We were able to allocate, we were able to allocate funding 13.7 million for the Latina Futures 2050 lab speed, spearheaded by the Chicano Studies Research center in partnership with the Latino Policy Politics Institute, as this was a priority to the Latino Caucus. These one time funds were allocated again in the 2023 year budget cycle.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
The Latina Futures 2050 lab envisioned equity for Latinas, by extension, all women of color, by 2050. And to date, the lab has developed a robust strategic plan to reach our stated goals and launch strategic research and community partnerships addressing equity and for racially diverse Latinas, which include black and indigenous Latinas.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
And from these breaking glass ceilings to the state's lowest paid workers.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
Eliminating this funding at this critical point would not only undermine all of our efforts to advocate for gender equity, but really for the polarity of all women of color in California, but would also set the state on a pathway that fails to leverage the collective potential and power of one of our greatest assets.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
When you empower women, you empower families, and when you empower Latina women, you empower the future of the State of California. And so this is critical, critical funding that took years to accomplish and at 1.13.7 million was budget dust in our state budget overall.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
But when we invest and continue to invest in the future of women and the future of Latinas, with the Latina Futures 2050 lab, we are investing in the State of California.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
So I would urge this Committee to push back on the removal of these funds through the governor's may budget, revise and continue to advocate for the largest demographic in the State of California that continues to not have the representation on a variety of different levels, whether it's the public sector, whether it's nonprofit, whether it's the C suite, and certainly in Low wage jobs.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
Latinas are an important aspect to the State of California, and I would encourage that we continue to fight for these funds and really advocate for the future of the state. Thank you for letting me share my comments.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you, Miss Curry, I appreciate your presence here today. And this is also the opportunity, if you'd like, to ask questions, of the May revision proposal as to why this particular program was essentially eliminated in terms of funding as it relates to the many other programs.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So I don't know if you want to take that opportunity now or you want to wait.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
You mean to tell me that I'm going to be able to ask directly?
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Yes, that is what this opportunity is for.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
That would be wonderful. I would like to actually ask the Administration to come forward and share some thoughts as to why this funding is on the chopping block. Thank you. Thank you.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Good morning, chair Alvarez, Members. Thank you, Assembly Member Wendy Carrillo, for your question. The proposal reflects different solutions. That included delays, reductions, but our goal was to protect main core funding. The proposal is not a reflection about the policy regarding the centers. We're just trying to find solutions.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
I'm sorry, I would ask that you speak a little bit closer to the mic, please. Sorry about that.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Is that better?
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
Yes.
- Gabriella Chavez
Person
Thank you. Good morning. I'm Gabriella Chavez with Department of Finance. The proposal is a reflection of different solutions that we took. During Miravision, we were trying to protect core programs, so we took delays, reductions. It's not a reflection of the policy statement regarding the centers. We were just trying to find solutions.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
Respectfully, I would say that cutting funding to a program that is about the future of the state and the population of the state is not in alignment or in value to the budget process and to what the Legislature has been advocating and fighting for for decades, especially as we talk about census numbers, data, gender equity, which is a priority to the first partner and to the Governor.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
And when you talk about protecting core programs, this is a priority to the largest ethnic caucus in the State of California and the largest ethnic caucus in the country. And so this is a core program to the majority of the legislators in California.
- Wendy Carrillo
Person
And so I would ask that you reconsider, because this is clearly very important to us and to the future of the state. And I'd want to see a comparison as to why you thought taking this out of the budget in comparison to what, what would be the other core program that you are saving as you remove this.
- Gabriella Chavez
Person
The core programs included financial aid, most of the funding for the segments, medical, supplemental benefits.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
Yeah. Chris Ferguson with finance. I think, you know, we certainly respect and understand exactly where you're coming from. And as we work toward a final budget deal with the Legislature, I have no doubt, you know, funding for this will come up in those discussions.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
I think, you know, we wouldn't say that there's any one particular program that we can point to.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
I know Miss Travis has listed many, but I think it was really around core ongoing funding and priorities, but certainly understand exactly where you're coming from and understand that as we work toward a final budget deal, this is a topic that we need to work through.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
I would just add, because I've heard you also, Miss Carrillo, thank you for your advocacy on this, that there are other programs that remain fully funded.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And so what we've asked, in trying to be collaborative and problem solving, is to try to identify savings, perhaps from long list of projects, and take a little bit from everybody, as opposed to eliminating one in particular. I know there's probably folks here on the UC labor, the UC labor centers as well.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
That's the approach that we think might be spreading the pain, as opposed to identifying specific programs and completely eliminating them. So I can, you know, commit to you that that's the approach that we hope that we come to an agreement upon on this particular issue. Thank you. Missoria.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Would you like to go next, or can you just mention the issue so we can have the right people come as well?
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
I actually want to talk about nursing programs and community colleges.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
So I also just want to thank the chair, obviously, of the Subcommitee, the chair of the budget, and the speaker for allowing us Members that are not part of the Budget Committee, to chime in on what are critical investments that are included in this year's budget and also have our input as you guys are finalizing either reductions, deferrals, and so forth.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
And so one of the issues that, for me, has been front and center in terms of my legislative priorities is kind of in line with healthcare access and the issues that the Central Valley has faced as a result of you guys all know, Madera community hospital closing and realizing that we have a significant shortage of nurses.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
That was an issue that impacted the closure of Madera Hospital because we were mostly relying on travelers. I think 40% of the nurses that were hired at Madera Community Hospital were travelers. That meant that they were, like, 10 times more expensive, and so really created a fiscal issue for the sustainability of this hospital.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
And so, realizing that we have a workforce challenge, especially in the region that I represent, I did notice that the Governor this year included a $60 million investment in terms of workforce, which I'm incredibly grateful for. I know the details are being worked on, and I do have a piece of legislation, AB 2104.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
And I wanted to just highlight one, why we are really elevating community colleges. For my area, which is considered a medically underserved area, students do have an opportunity, maybe to go to a state school, but majority of those folks that don't, because either transportation then are either relegated to going to very private institutions.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
And so we think that community colleges are really the venue that could provide more access and then affordability as they're trying to pursue bachelor's in nursing, which is now much more commonly required in the healthcare space. And so I really want to, you know, see our policy advance and to work through the details.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
But I did have some specific questions in terms of what. What are the areas of the state that, you know, either the Governor has identified and also maybe a question to the community college to see if you guys are thinking about specific areas.
- Justin Hurst
Person
Justin Hirsch with Department of Finance. I'll just note that the $60 million investment and the associated trailer Bill reflects the agreement that was made at the 2023 Budget act.
- Justin Hurst
Person
And as the Administration has mentioned in previous hearings and chair Alvarez mentioned today, we are still working with the Legislature on finalizing what that language will look like and how that investment will we spent.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
So I just add that, you know, as a result, we couldn't speak to specific areas of the state that might be focused on with those resources because that trailer bill is still pending.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
Okay.
- David Obrien
Person
An Assembly Member, David O'Brien with the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office. I want to thank you for raising the question. And just note that, you know, at this time, we haven't, that would arguably be putting the cart before the horse in terms of planning specifically for regions and things of that nature.
- David Obrien
Person
However, we are tracking what the research and the data show. And according to University of California San Francisco, it is the Central Valley as well as, interestingly, San Francisco and the Central coast regions that have the greatest sort of projected shortage into the out years.
- David Obrien
Person
So we're sort of tracking some of that information and making sure we're keeping an eye on what the research and the data show.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
Absolutely. And thank you for that. And I know that obviously, there's a couple pieces of legislation, but I did want to kind of understand and, you know, we haven't had the opportunity to meet and discuss this, so I am grateful for that.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
I am very interested, obviously, in the Central Valley region, because when we look at the data, that's exactly what we are seeing. And we just experienced a closure of a hospital as a result of this labor challenge.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
And so I'm looking forward to continuing to work with folks to make sure that those details are finalized and then that our region really ends up benefiting from the needed investment in order to really fulfill the promises that we've made, I think, from the state, both the Governor and the Legislature, and having access to healthcare as we've expanded Medi Cal and so forth.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
But again, having Medi Cal is one thing, but being able to go get care, seeing a Doctor or having a nurse that is culturally competent as well, I think, is very critical when it comes to access to healthcare and equity in the State of California.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
So that was really my interest in making sure that I expressed my interest in making sure that that funding stays, remains. And I know that as of at least the revision of the budget, the funding is still there. And so I'm looking forward to working with folks to outline those details that obviously the Governor is looking at.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
And then also the community college chancellor as well, is looking at. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you. And I'll just add, as we've had those conversations here, that we want to deploy these resources to communities that clearly are in need of these programs. And I think Missouri has got a community that's clearly in need.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But also, I like to always call attention to there are some urban areas where the needs exist as well. And so what I have feedback that I've given in that we hope will be or we expect to be part of this final budget agreement is that we can deploy these programs as quickly as possible.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And some of them might be in partnership with our California State University system. Others might be standalone because there is no infrastructure in places like the Central Valley. So we've got to be nimble with that.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But also we need to be able to deploy that because one of the things we've learned is that there are a lot of unspent funds that were committed a few years ago.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And so that's certainly not the best position to be in when you've got a budget shortfall if you're going to be budgeting money to be spent in a certain way and needs to be spent as soon as possible.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So we're certainly looking forward to the details on how we can deploy this to our community colleges and also to our partnerships between community colleges and our csus in particular. So thank you for your advocacy, and we'll be continuing to work on this.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Would you like to go next?
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Mister Muratsuchi?
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Thank you very much. So, as chair of the Education Committee, I have an opportunity to hear from school districts, you know, our large urban districts, our rural districts, our suburban districts. And I, first of all, want to acknowledge that I'm hearing loud and clear the ongoing needs, tremendous needs that all of our school districts continue to face.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Still dealing with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, the expiration of the Federal Funding Dollars are presenting a tremendous challenge for many of the districts that have rolled out programs and are going to see those dollars expiring.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so, you know, oftentimes I hear different perspectives of this budget between those that are up here in the state Capitol versus those that are on the front lines providing, you know, education to our kids on a day in, day out basis. I do know and appreciate the Governor for his stated goal of protecting classroom funding.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
But clearly, the big question that still remains to be addressed is the Proposition 98 funding maneuver that is, in my opinion, clearly seems to go against the, the basic understanding of Proposition ID eight, to allow for past funding, in this case in 2223 to clearly require the rebenching of the guarantee, the Proposition 98 guarantee, not only for 2223 but for years going forward.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so we're not talking about just an $8.8 billion question, but we're talking about potentially $11.9 billion shortfall that school districts and community colleges should have coming to them. And so I know that that is a huge number.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
I know that Mister Mccarty had reminded me and others that just the $8 billion is the equivalent of our General Fund budgets for our University of California and our California State universities combined to put the magnitude of that figure into perspective.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
But clearly, we need to defend the integrity of Proposition 98, not only in this budget year, but going forward. I am hoping that this Committee will land in a place where we will not be supporting the governor's proposed Proposition 98 maneuver in order to defend and protect Proposition 98.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
In addition, I just want to flag some other issues. Again, appreciate the governor's ongoing commitment to some of our major initiatives that we have launched in recent years to deal with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, community schools, the e law programs, the universal meals among many.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And so I appreciate the Governor continuing his commitment to these important programs.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
There is the ongoing issue of the Elop stabilization, which I understand, Mister chair, that, that there are plans to address this issue, but in order to ensure that our districts can continue to provide the after school, the summer school programs that we so desperately need, in order to close the opportunity and achievement gaps, we need to address that issue.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
Number two, I know that there is ongoing political conversations in terms of the transitional kindergarten student teacher racial penalties. I continue to believe that it's unfair to districts that did the right thing to roll out the TK programs early and they should not be penalized for that. Want to continue to highlight that concern.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And last but not least, we talked about this at our last hearing, but the teacher shortage continues to be one of the biggest challenges that all k 12 districts continue to face.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
And as of now, it looks like the Golden State teacher grant program, which has been one of the most successful programs that we have had to support, incentivizing more young people to want to aspire to become teachers for that to be expiring.
- Al Muratsuchi
Legislator
I'm hoping that as we've talked about other potential areas of cuts in order to try to preserve and continue to support the Golden State teacher grant program that we prioritize this program as a critical way to continue to address one of our biggest challenges facing k 12 districts, that of our teacher shortage. Thank you, Mister chair.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you, Mister Muratsuchi. Miss Ortega, I think you wanted to also provide some comments and maybe have some questions. And if you can also start by letting us know which particular programs you're asking about so that the staff can come up to answer your questions.
- Unidentified Speaker
Person
Yes, thank you for that. I would like to focus my comments and questions on the $13 million budget cut to the UC labor centers.
- Gabriela Chavez
Person
Gabriela Chavez with Department of Finance. I'm not sure about the question, Assembly Member Ortega.
- Liz Ortega
Legislator
I haven't asked it yet. I just said the section to prepare for you. So in the Governor's proposal, it plans to eliminate all $13 million that allowed the Labor Centers to expand and to provide the much needed research that many of us here use. So I wanted to ask what the rationale for this cut was, and are there any plans, if any, to restore the funding once we see a better budget?
- Gabriela Chavez
Person
Thank you for your question, Assembly Member Ortega. The reasoning behind the reduction, as previously mentioned, we look at different solutions to address the budget shortfall. So we took deferrals, delays. The selection of this reduction was not a representative of the policy. It was just a matter of we were trying to find solution. Regarding your second question, on the possibility, that's not currently discussed, but I'm happy to take that feedback and let supervisors know about that.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
Yeah, and if I can just add, similar to my comments regarding the Unseen Latinas Project, certainly, as we work toward closing this budget and reaching a budget agreement with the Legislature, I have no doubt that this allocation will come up in those discussions as well. So look forward to the continued discussion with the Legislature around what that final budget will look like.
- Esmeralda Soria
Legislator
I just wanted to add an example of the work that the UC Labor Center does. So last year, a community in my district, Planada got flooded. And so actually, as a result of what the UC Labor Center did, in terms of a study to let us know what was the impact, we were actually able to allocate, obviously, funding where we had additional funding last year in the budget. And so the community actually got $20 million in relief, which was very, very helpful, and it actually is going underway right now. So just wanted to highlight the critical work that is done. Thank you.
- Liz Ortega
Legislator
I also wanted to ask, the UC system is getting a 7.8% cut. The UC Business and Management Schools are part of that, but it's not equal in terms of what they're cut versus the Labor Centers. So what was the rationale for that as well?
- Gabriela Chavez
Person
I'm not sure exactly... The 7.95% reductions that it's proposed for May Revision is to the segment. So to the University of California, the University will decide how to make that reduction. So I'm not particularly familiar with how that we'll go to the second, but the business school.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
I think I would just add to your point there that 7.95% was broadly applied to numerous departments throughout the state. And just for some context, in terms of impact, that impact to the UC is roughly $380 million a year. So certainly understand that there were different choices that could be made, that are being made.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
There are different perspectives on what those decisions should be made. I think at the end of the day, what it came down to for the Administration is we had a significant budget problem we were trying to resolve, and we were looking at all avenues of what might be possible to resolve that. Certainly we look forward to the conversations with the Legislature around how we do that.
- Liz Ortega
Legislator
Yes, I look forward to those conversations. I will continue to ask these questions and want to make sure that I'm on record as wanting to protect this program and the Labor Centers.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you, Ms. Ortega. And this has been also, public has spoken on this as well, as you might have heard. And we have asked, similar to the Latina Initiative, to look at all the other specific programs that were not targeted for any cuts, including not targeted for the 7.95%, and whether they can all help.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And our expectation is that they will all help to make sure that we keep the Labor Center funding on the level playing field in terms of being able to continue to do their work, obviously also doing their part in terms of reduction, because everybody's seeing a reduction, but not a very drastic reduction as is being proposed. So that's the current work, and I don't know if the UC has anything to add to that, on that approach, particularly, because I know we've asked you to do that exercise.
- Seija Virtanen
Person
Thank you. Chair Alvarez, I have provided information to the committee staff based on your question. The University of California would prefer not to place any value on one program over another. These are legislative priorities that all serve very important populations within our state, and the faculty and staff who work on these programs are very passionate about them and very devoted to the causes. For the record, the Labor Centers will retain, after the Governor's proposed reduction, a $6 million based budget. But it is a very drastic reduction to the Labor Centers.
- Seija Virtanen
Person
The University of California has approximately $448 million in these specialty earmarks that have been, over many decades, provided to the University by the Legislature that are not cut during the times when we receive a base budget cut because they have been mandated at a certain funding level by the Legislature.
- Seija Virtanen
Person
And the approach that you're speaking of is providing a percentage cut to those programs in order to be able to make a reduction either more evenly or preserve a program of special interest to the Legislature. And that is definitely possible for the Legislature to do. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you. You walked us through that really excellently. Thank you. There are many priorities that the Legislature over the years have put forward, as was referred, totaling $450 million. And it seems to me like the equitable thing to do in order to maintain our Labor Centers as fully funded as possible is to spread that some of those cuts to other programs. So again, thank you for advocacy and we look forward to continuing this. Thank you very much. We will move on to Mr. Fong.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
Thank you so much, Mr. Chair, and appreciate all the comments here today. And I want to echo the comments from my colleagues regarding the UC Labor Centers and the strong concerns about the $13 million reduction to the UC Labor Centers here. We know that they support important research and policy development, helping working families and community empowerment.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
And just a couple years ago pushed for the $13 million along with my colleagues for the Labor Centers. I was grateful to my legislative colleagues and the Governor for their support on that. And we know that terminating the funding now would disrupt the critical work that's been started.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
A number of the Labor Centers just were in town a couple weeks ago, and centers across the University of California system are potentially impacted. And the work that they do around occupational safety, climate change, around jobs, minimum wage, and other policy areas is critical work that they provide that research to our Legislature and to our state.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
I also want to echo the comments of my colleague Asemar Wendy Carrillo regarding the $13.7 million for the Latino Policy Politics Institute and really uplifting those efforts as well in the nursing programs uplifted by Assembly Member Soria championed those efforts across our state. And I know, just don't want to repeat this, but it's important that we also look at Cal Grant reform. I know that this is one of my, definitely my top priority going forward and looking at the implementation of it.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
I know that it's a challenging budget year, but looking at how we can phase in Cal Grant reform and making changes to expand access, even if it's to a smaller population, is what was intended if we had a healthier budget. But really, as we look at phase and options of that program going forward, I really want to highlight and amplify the efforts around Cal Grant reform and especially expanding those opportunities for our community college students. Then also uplifting the comments about the UC and CSUs.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
We know that's a challenging time, but we've got to continue to uplift our number of in state Californias coming to our University of California campuses. I really want to amplify those efforts done on enrollment growth. And we know that, especially at our impacted campuses, at UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, we've seen improvements towards the targeted marks, but we know that there's more work to be done. And going forward, we want to make sure that we continue to replace non-resident students with resident students in California and especially those impacted campuses.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
And it's a power and promise of higher education to transform lives here in our communities, for our residents here in California. And as we look at enrollment growth, you might have seen community colleges enrollment growth has grown 8% year over year.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
And so a lot of those students are going to be transferring and applying to the UC and CSUs. And as a state, we got to do everything possible to continue to expand those opportunities. On the community colleges side, I do support the COLA, even though it's a small one this year.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
But also looking at our programs around workforce development, CTE, I know we had a robust discussion on that last week around the strong workforce programs as well. And we see a lot of work that's being done around that space to meet the workforce needs of tomorrow and today and to help our economy grow.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
And so as we look at the importance of the strong workforce funds and how we can continue to uplift those programs in partnership with the workforce development boards and economic development corporations and really building back that opportunity. And lastly, I want to also highlight the Educational Facilities Bond that Mr. Muratsuchi and Miss Wilson.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
Really looking at how we can continue to uplift educational facilities here in California going forward, especially with a number of our facilities aging and looking at our CTE facilities as well. And our community colleges just want to give this, bring this up to elevate this issue at this time. So with that, those are my initial comments. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
All right, we might have some questions then in a bit. Want to go next, Mr. McCarty?
- Kevin McCarty
Person
Thank you. You know, I do have a ton of ideas and thoughts, but I'm not going to share them. I'm just going to give a perspective. So, you know, just in a few days, I'm going to adjourn in memory of our former Assembly Member here from this area. His name is Phil Isenberg and he was, chaired the Ways and Means Committee. He's a legend. He was former mayor of Sacramento as well. And at his service they talked about when he was the Budget chair, people would come in... Or Ways and Means chair.
- Kevin McCarty
Person
People would come into his office and they'd have a letter of like, don't do this. And he'd say, well, where is your corresponding what to do? You know, maybe a few people and corrections and Alex Lee and some others give ideas of what to do, but he would put their ladder up on the wall as an example of like, no, you can't come in here and tell us what not to do. So look, this is a terrible situation.
- Kevin McCarty
Person
We have to look at these cuts, and it's just brutal looking at them. And you know, I talked to our staff here and you know, as Al and I and you for a little bit, we spent nine years building this stuff up, and it's super painful to take a look at what we're going to have to do to roll some of these things back.
- Kevin McCarty
Person
But I just want to note that we have to make these tough decisions, and we're trying to keep intact as much as far as what we did. And I think overall there is a lot of pain here and we've, I think managed it to our best ability. I do like some of the ideas that you talked about here, especially like those Labor Centers and others, as far as a shared sacrifice. Sure, there's certain things that I'd like to, you know, punt and defer action on and I want to withhold that. And maybe I've shared some of these, those with you, Chair.
- Kevin McCarty
Person
But I think it's important for us too not to tell the Department of Finance what we want them to do, tell us what we want to do because we're talking to ourselves, to the Budget chair, to our speaker, what are our values. So I think it's important that we go back and do what you said, Chair Alvarez, is what things we don't like here, what things we want to do in lieu of that, because some of these things are within our control.
- Kevin McCarty
Person
But overall, I think this is my first time back talking at length, but I just wanted to share those thoughts and thank you for taking the ship this year. I know this is a, you want more rather having those nine years we were doing positive things for education from our youngest learners all the way through higher education.
- Kevin McCarty
Person
You know, it may not be the most fun year when you're making these decisions, but it's the most impactful. So, you know, we have to make these choices. So thank you, Chair Alvarez. And I also just want to note, I haven't officially said this yet, and I wanted to thank both Erin and Mark for working with us for nine years. So that was quite a run. So I want to thank you both publicly for that as well. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you, Mr. McCarty. And thank you for your service on this committee and really appreciate what you've done for the state, certainly, to set us on the right path. And yeah, we have some difficult decisions to make this year. But it won't be like that every year. And so the investments that you've championed, the Legislature, and the Governor, there'll be an opportunity, I'm sure, in a not distant future to, to continue to make those investments, and we certainly will look forward to those days.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But for today, we still continue to look at looking at how we solve for a budget deficit in the current year and potentially in the out years. And so that's what we're focused on today without decimating the services and the core values that California has. So with that, I want to turn it over to Mr. Wallis.
- Greg Wallis
Legislator
Thank you, Mr. Chair. As you know, I only recently joined this committee, so I have a little bit of the proverbial drinking from a fire hose feeling going on. One of the things in the Governor's May Revise presentation that I appreciated was the idea that we should be looking at budget year and budget year plus one.
- Greg Wallis
Legislator
I would like to compliment the committee for displaying so clearly here the impact of the various proposals and how things will play out over the two budget year horizon. I hope, as we move forward into this year's final budget and the 25-26 budget, we continue to think about the impact of our decisions along this timeline.
- Greg Wallis
Legislator
But we have to admit that underlying the two year horizon, there's also a lot of manipulation of the numbers in order to address our huge budget deficit. And we can't do that again. We got to stick with the commitments we're making to the students of California in the budget. As an example, for the CSU, we deferred the 5% base funding operating expense. In upcoming years, we'll restore that deferment, but in all likelihood it'll still be less than what they thought they were getting a year or two ago. Makes it hard to plan. We have to stick to those commitments.
- Greg Wallis
Legislator
We'll be so much better off if our K-12s, community colleges, UC and CSU can count on us and our promises. I look forward to working with the committee and stakeholders to try and bring more certainty to this process. And I know a lot of you in the room and at the dais are thinking good luck, new committee member.
- Greg Wallis
Legislator
But I'm committed to education of our children, working with every stakeholder going forward, and to make sure that all of our public education opportunities are the best. I just want to say thank you Mr. Chairman, Members, Budget Sub 3 staff, our Republican Consultant Sarah Haynes, Department of Finance, and LAO for all your work on this. Appreciate it.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you. I do want to ask some specific questions. It would not be hearing if I wasn't asking any questions. And since CSAC is at the table, it sort of makes sense to start there. We've asked for some more thinking in the last committee of how we can implement what Mr. McCarty and others in the past have set the ground floor, which is Cal Grant reform. A priority of prior Legislature, priority that's founded on data that demonstrates that more students can get served, more students, more diverse students can be served, so that it's a reflection of Californians who are achieving higher education.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And so Cal Grant reform is very, will be a significant step towards achieving that. Knowing our budget deficit, we've asked CSAC to try to identify other alternatives to try to implement reform now. Given the two year vision, that I agree with Mr. Wallis, appreciate the Administration's new perspective at looking at this, not just from this year, but in the out year as well.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And so the concept here is how do we move forward today knowing that this won't be implemented from a fiscal perspective in terms of impacts in the 24-25 budget, but really starting the expending of dollars in order to achieve this in 25-26. So I'd ask CSAC to please walk us through some of those potential options on how we can accomplish initiating Cal Grant reform because I know that you've done some, gave you a lot of homework, and so I'm sure you're prepared today.
- Jake Brymner
Person
Well, thank you, Chair Alvarez. And yes, you gave us a heavy assignment at the last subcommittee hearing, and our team has been working feverishly since then to try to run some numbers on the ideas that were outlined at the last Budget Subcommittee hearing to look at how, starting with the 25-26 award year, budget year, for which students will start applying for financial aid this upcoming fall, that we could initiate Cal Grant reform at a lower cost point than what would be associated with all the provisions that the Legislature and Administration had approved back in 2022.
- Jake Brymner
Person
So we have generated initial estimates, and we've been in communication with colleagues at Legislative Analyst Office. These are very recently developed numbers. One of the mechanisms that we outlined at the last subcommittee hearing was to look at phasing in the removal of the grade point average requirement for our community college students.
- Jake Brymner
Person
As a reminder for the subcommittee, we currently have a 2.0 GPA requirement for our community college students, despite it being an open access institution. That is a very cost intensive barrier to eliminate. We know it keeps out many of our adult learners and especially student parents who qualify for additional aid.
- Jake Brymner
Person
So we looked at two different provisions associated with this. One, gradually phasing in the removal of a GPA requirement by looking at another policy that exists in state law that allows students who come to a community college or another institution of higher education without a high school transcript or without a 2.0 GPA on that transcript and allows them to complete college credits before they reestablish their Cal Grant eligible GPA. Current state law requires that that's 16 units to complete.
- Jake Brymner
Person
So we looked at an option where, rather than fully eliminating the 2.0 requirement for community college students, you progressively lower that number of required units to essentially trickle in additional eligible community college students gradually over time rather than altogether in one year.
- Jake Brymner
Person
When we look at the first year of implementation being the 2526 fiscal year, the one time cost associated with the transition in that year would be $109 million. That would then decline gradually over time. Over the next two years, there'd be some additional one time costs before the program would essentially reach something of a plateau that would put it on par with what we project the expenditures to be on the current Cal Grant program. And that would be a policy in which you start by lowering that number of units to nine units.
- Jake Brymner
Person
If you look at other options where you would start at 12 units and then progressively ratchet down over time from 12 to nine to six units to then eventually it would be in the 28-29 year looking at full repeal of that GPA requirement for community college students. There are lower one time costs, but there are still one time costs associated with that three year period.
- Jake Brymner
Person
The first year, the 25-26 year, we estimate right now, our initial number is about 95 million in one time cost to start with that 12 unit threshold before, in the 28-29 year, to fully repeal the GPA requirement, we'd be looking at an additional $86 million and ongoing relative to what we project on the current Cal Grant program.
- Jake Brymner
Person
And now, one other concept that was discussed at the last hearing was looking at the Students with Dependent Children Award. This is the $6,000 that current Cal Grant recipients, if you're eligible for a Cal Grant and you have a dependent under 18, you qualify for this additional aid. Many of those community college students who we bring in by eliminating the GPA requirement would look to qualify for this grant.
- Jake Brymner
Person
And the concept that was discussed at the last hearing was looking at maintaining a $6,000 award for those who currently receive it, but also looking at phasing in that additional support for newly eligible student parents as they're coming into the Cal Grant program over time.
- Jake Brymner
Person
If you were to layer that kind of policy and start with a $3,000 award for new students entering who would qualify for that grant in the 25-26 year and then over time increase that award in year two going to 4000, year three going to 5000. Before, in that 29-29 year, we would reach a $6,000 Student with Dependent Children Award for both those existing students and these new students. That would reduce what we look to see, what we see as the one time cost in the 25-26 year to be approximately 42 million one time.
- Jake Brymner
Person
The next two years would, would appear to be cost neutral relative to the baseline current Cal Grant program, before, again, at that 28-29 year. To fully eliminate GPA while also increasing the student with dependent children awards to 6000 would require about $85 million in ongoing.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So let me just make sure I understand correctly. The two options between, which I think were the two final options in your order. The only difference is that one has the full 6000 dependent award and the other one has the 3000 with an escalating award in the future years?
- Jake Brymner
Person
That's correct. We looked at both of these models just to provide the Legislature and Administration with a set of options that you can consider if you're trying to weigh starting this investment and looking at how we bring in students who currently don't get aid and what can we cover for them as we're trying to expand eligibility.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And the reason why this was of interest to me was because, my logic, and certainly open to thoughts from others, is at least if you open this up with this GPA requirement that's phased in, even if you provide a lower dependent award, you're getting individuals financial aid who otherwise would not be getting financial aid at all. Is that correct?
- Jake Brymner
Person
That's correct. We're still refining the numbers to be able to provide you with more specific data about the nature of those student parents. But we know that there are thousands of student parents who currently qualify for $0 in Cal Grant aid and who you start to progressively bring into the program over time by reducing that GPA requirement for community college students.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Okay, well, I've heard Mr. Fong, I've heard other colleagues who are not on this committee talk about the significance of this. Certainly heard the Members of the public in terms of creating access. I think we're getting to a place to where we want to be to initiate reforms to phase it in in a way that's responsible given our realities. I know that this May was supposed to be the time when the determination was to be made by the Administration on implementing. Clearly, that wasn't the decision made.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Is there anything that you know of or even Finance knows of that, if we take a different approach... I have not asked this question to our Committee Consultants... That we could that would interfere with implementing this in a phase in approach, given what was agreed upon before? I just don't want to go back on commitments that were made previously. Is there anything that Finance can share about the previous commitments on Cal Grant equity reform that this approach would be going against?
- Amanpreet Singh
Person
Aman Singh, the California Department of Finance. Thank you, Jake. We have received the estimates for the phase in options from the California Student Aid Commission, and we're in the process of reviewing them. As you've noted, the May Revision did not trigger Cal Grant reform, but we are open to further negotiations to see if the final budget could have the flexibility for our phase in. But at this point, the May Revision did not include it.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
So the trigger language did not say you got a fully implemented if you're going to trigger it, so we could trigger it in a more phased approach?
- Chris Ferguson
Person
If I may... No, the trigger language did say it was either up or down. It doesn't provide for a structured approach. But, effectively, the trigger language was for a specific set of statute. To the extent the Legislature were interested in viewing some iteration of that statute and pursuing it, it would just be adding that to the trailer bill and saying, this is what the Legislature intends to do. I think there are a couple early observations that we just note in all of those projections.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
Once fully implemented, I believe when we were looking at it, it would mean that there's around a 15% reduction in the number of students at the University of California that would qualify for a Cal Grant. So that's something that certainly the committee would want to consider.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
So part of the reason that you're seeing the projections that you see from the Student Aid Commission is it's a shift of resources that it's going to students at the University of California right now, and it's covering costs in other areas. So certainly that's something that you'd want to certainly consider as we work through this process.
- Chris Ferguson
Person
The other piece that I would add is, while the focus has been Cal Grant reform, if the Assembly's focus is providing additional financial aid to more students or providing more financial aid to existing students, you can also do that through the existing program by modifying the GPA, by modifying some of the award amounts for access awards through the current program. Your options are not purely limited to the Cal Grant reform framework.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Yeah, I think one of the things that I want to respect, and this is helpful feedback, is that there were conversations, discussions among, like, many stakeholders about how to best implement reform, fully understanding there's a lot of options you could take. But this was my understanding, again, certainly interested in feedback from others that this was the agreed upon, even with the Administration approach. And so wanting to not dismantle work that has been done to get us where we are and wanting to honor that, my perspective is how do we get to that place where there was agreement already and in a way that's feasible given our financial situation.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
I would just also say, not to argue but, or be argumentative, but full implementation of Cal Grant reform was going to always hit UC in that way, and that agreement existed. And so again, I'm trying to respect the work that was done. If we want to revisit all that, that's a whole other conversation.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But in trying to be respectful and honor that agreement and implement it, that is why, I'll just be honest, spent a lot of resources and of my time to try to get to that, in pushing folks to provide data on how to reach them. So Mr. Fong, I don't know if you want to add anything to that.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
Thank you so much, Mr. Chair. Definitely want to uplift the work that's been done here over many years and to really respect the work that's been done to get us to this place. And we know that the trigger was in place if our budget was better. So as we look at as a possible phase in approach for the GPA and the units requirement, one question I would have is, on the 12 units, how many more students would that impact? Do we have an estimate?
- Jake Brymner
Person
We do, Assembly Member Fong. If you'll just bear with me in finding the appropriate spreadsheet here. So in year one, that reduction just from 16 units to 12 units in the number of units required to reestablish that GPA would appear to bring in nearly 21,000 more likely paid Cal Grant recipients.
- Jake Brymner
Person
And I'll just note too, our colleague at Finance is correct in terms of the segmental shift that's happening here. And what I'll just note, and this gets to, I think, both the point about what would we see in terms of newly eligible students in our projections and also what was agreed upon back in 2022. We're always modeling based on the most recent financial aid application data that we have available at the Student Aid Commission. In this case, it's reliant upon the same May Revise caseload assumptions that you've seen in the last 10 years.
- Jake Brymner
Person
There has been a shift in the proportion of low income students who receive Pell Grant at the University of California. That shift downward has also occurred over the past several years. So when we went from the modeling that we did back in 2022 to this year's modeling, you see that in the numbers reflected for the UC. And what I'll just note is that of course, we're looking at how Cal Grant can serve low income students across all of our segments across the State of California, both today and into the future.
- Jake Brymner
Person
And I would just note, as I think this committee's discussed and is well aware, there is a demographic shift happening in the nature of who our students are that are coming to our institutions of higher education, away from that traditionally aged college student model, to students who are returning learners and coming back and are going to be disproportionately impacted by this kind of GPA barrier that you're asking about, Assembly Member Fong.
- Mike Fong
Legislator
Thank you so much for that context and for that information. And how can it possibly impact 21,000 more students? And this will just be a start as we look at implementing the full reforms that we have that was worked on a few years back. So as the Chair's mentioned, a phase in approach I think would be very pragmatic during these very challenging times, but just to emphasize the work that's being done. So I appreciate the context and getting this information since our meeting last week, but I know that there's been a lot of discussions going forward and this remains my top budget priority going forward. So thank you, Mr. Chair.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you, Mr. Fong. Appreciate it. I think those are the questions that I've had, and so appreciate on this particular topic. I think, again, the spirit here is to try to honor those commitments and try to do it in a responsible way. And so I think, I do think that we're getting there. So I appreciate all the feedback from everybody here. Any additional questions from my colleagues? Okay. And with that, we're going to take, we will take public comment in a second here.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
But first is, want to reiterate, there's outstanding questions to different departments, to different segments and others that we are expecting those responses from you that we've asked throughout the last three months to try and make those decisions. And just reiterate once again that the goal, from this committee's perspective anyway, is to try to solve this as much as possible this year and not allow this to become, our education finance issues, to become multi-year issues.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
And so that means making difficult decisions this year, staying away from the harmful cuts and things like that impact the classroom primarily. And so that is going to continue to be the commitment. That's the commitment that I think is mutually had. So as we head into this public testimony, please be aware of that, and we will look forward to the continued discussions with Finance. Thank you, also, to our committee staff.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
It almost sounds like this is the last meeting, and maybe it is and maybe it isn't, but certainly want to thank all the staff that's come before this committee, from Finance, from the Legislative Analyst Office, from the different departments, and very appreciative, especially of those who have already answered the questions, who have been able to do so.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
It really is helpful. So thank you all. And with that, we will go to public testimony. We're gonna... I'm gonna try to see how many people line up here. I'm gonna probably give you a 30 second just notification. If you really need to go more than 30 seconds, please do so. But if not, we'd appreciate that. We are going back into session to vote on all of our bills.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Try to again, once again, keep those comments to 30 seconds. Anything that perhaps we haven't heard before and if we have heard it before, just the highlights, please. So with that we will get started. Please come forward.
- Dominique Donette
Person
Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Let me ask everybody in the room if you could please keep it down. We have public testimony now. Please keep it down so we can hear the public testimony. Thank you.
- Dominique Donette
Person
Thank you Mister chair and Members, my name is Dominique Donette. On behalf of Ed Voice and 19 other organizations, thank you for your comments on Golden State, the teacher grant program and your efforts to protect it.
- Dominique Donette
Person
In addition to the proposed cuts, we're also here to talk about the trailer bill Language that would make changes to the program, including reducing the grant award to 10k and reducing the requirement from four to two years to teach. All of which decreases the incentive to actually work in a priority school.
- Dominique Donette
Person
So we encourage you to preserve not only the impact of the program by protecting the remaining 110.2 million, but also retaining the program's current statutory language. So thank you so much.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Megan Subers
Person
Thank you Mister chair and Members, Megan Subers is first on behalf of the Writers Guild of America West, urging the Legislature and the Administration to reconsider the cuts to to the UC labor centers. It's a really important resource for the state.
- Megan Subers
Person
And secondly, on behalf of California College of ASU would like to express our support for proposed trailer Bill Language to ensure that the California residents who are currently receiving Cal grants at that institution can continue to do so. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Brenda Munoz
Person
Good afternoon Mister chair Members. My name is Brenda Munoz and I'm the co chair of the UC Berkeley Labor Center. I'm here to express my concern with the 13 million cut to the nine labor centers.
- Brenda Munoz
Person
I'm proud of the work that we do to provide evidence based research and technical assistance to legislators, federal and state agencies and many other stakeholders. Our work informs policies that help you build a California that works for all.
- Brenda Munoz
Person
If our funds are cut, we have to roll back critical research initiatives such as focusing on the impact of AI and automation on workers and consumers, equitable transition to a green economy, access to affordable and quality housing for workers and more. I urge you to restore the $13 million funds to the labor centers.
- Brenda Munoz
Person
And I also urge you to restore funds for the Latina Futures lab.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you very much.
- Saba Waheed
Person
Thank you chair and Members, my name is Saba Waheed. I'm the Director of the UCLA Labor Center. Also wanted to express my concern about the cuts to the UC labor centers. It will experience severe impact on our students and worker pipeline, including 100 positions for staff, graduate students and student workers.
- Megan Subers
Person
We will also lose the opportunity to hire the first ever two faculty tenured track positions. Mind you, the business schools and management schools have 350. So we ask you again to uphold this important public resource for the UC system and beyond.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you very much.
- Jeremy Smith
Person
Thank you Mister chair Members of the Committee, Jeremy Smith here on behalf of the Estate Building and Construction Trades Council, I'd like to associate my comments with previous two speakers.
- Jeremy Smith
Person
I'm here on behalf of the UC Labor Centers and the cuts, the elimination of those labor centers as we work to implement in the labor movement the directives that come out of this Legislature for jobs and high road strategies to make sure that people don't just have jobs but careers.
- Jeremy Smith
Person
Understanding the labor market outcomes and needs that the labor center provides is critical to the decision making in this building. So we urge you to restore those cuts. Thank you.
- Doug Subers
Person
Thank you Mister chair Members. Doug Subers first on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters, we'd like to applaud the work the Legislature and Administration has done over the last several years to strengthen and expand apprenticeship opportunities. That expansion and strengthening has resulted in more training, but also in underfunding of previous hours.
- Doug Subers
Person
So we're hopeful that we can work together to find a pathway to address underfunded hours that are now about $1 million. Second, on behalf of the California State University Employees Union, we understand the difficult budget situation and the need to defer the compact from this year into next year.
- Doug Subers
Person
But long term we do hope that the compact and encourage the compact to stay whole. It is incredibly important to satisfy the MOU agreements and move non faculty staff onto merit salary steps. And also student assistants have just organized informed Bargaining Unit 15 and it's important a healthy budget supports them. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Martha Diaz
Person
Good afternoon. Martha Zaragoza Diaz, representing the California Music Educators Association, and I would request the Committee Members to please reject the proposal on page 11 that would propose creating an elementary arts career technical education teaching credential.
- Martha Diaz
Person
I spoke before the Committee Subcommitee before the CTE instruction and arts media entertainment industry sectors and courses do not exist for teaching elementary arts education. Therefore implementation of that proposal would be very difficult to do.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Martha Diaz
Person
And to accept and include the language that's in AB 2473 that would create a pathway with an existing credential instead of this.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Martha Diaz
Person
Thank you.
- Tia Koonse
Person
Good afternoon, Assembly Members. Tia Koonse here with the UCLA Labor Center also expressing concern and also thank you for the support that you have shown today for the UC labor centers. Just to clarify of that $6 million that would remain in the budget. That's to just two labor centers. That dates to 2000.
- Tia Koonse
Person
So now we're nine labor centers. And so this isn't just a cut for five of us, this would be a complete elimination. That's Santa Cruz, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Irvine and Davis. And then also in support of the Latino Futures Fund.
- Tia Koonse
Person
And finally, we already have 460 faculty have signed on in support of us, over 300 community organizations and as of now, 22 legislators in support as well. Thank you.
- Kimberly Rosenberger
Person
Kimberly Rosenberger with SEIU. When it comes to k through 12, we would urge consideration for late Layoff protections and guardrails as the funding removes the caps on local reserves for UC. We want to align our comments on the UC labor center, and that's for SEIU and UDW. And finally, we have concerns about the funding for CSUs.
- Kimberly Rosenberger
Person
We want to make sure we preserve the labor compacts. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Janice O'Malley
Person
Good afternoon, chair Members. Janice O'Malley with AFSCME California. I just want to align my comments with Kim Rosenberger on K-12 summer programs, as well as our opposition to the elimination of the UC labor funding. I also want to thank Assemblymember Soria for her comments on supporting the nursing program funding in the governor's proposal for community colleges.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Janice O'Malley
Person
Thank you.
- Tiffany Mok
Person
Tiffany Mok, CFT we want to thank you for this hearing. For reasons already mentioned, we oppose cuts to the UC labor center, UC cuts for their ongoing base, the Prop 98 maneuver. Our Members express concerns and cuts over the Latina Futures lab and Latino Policy center.
- Tiffany Mok
Person
And we'd like to support the COLAs for both segments and also fully fund part time office hours for community college faculty. Thank you so much.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Sara Bachez
Person
Good afternoon. Sara Bachez with Children Now thank you so much for all of the comments. We just want to continue echoing our concerns with the maneuver and the Golden State teacher grant program, given the times that we're experiencing difficulties with educators and the shortage.
- Sara Bachez
Person
And we do support the trailer bill on learning recovery emergency block grant to ensure that those funds are targeted to our most needy students. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Elizabeth Esquivel
Person
Elizabeth Esquivel with the California Association of School Business Officials. We really support the extension of the use of the ELOP funds, the rainy day withdrawal, and we really appreciate the delay of the Learning Recovery Emergency block grant.
- Elizabeth Esquivel
Person
We urge the reconsideration of the $500 million for the zero mission school buses, including the additional 395 million provided in the May revision. We also ask consideration for continued discussions on alternatives to the Proposition 98 maneuver. Thank you.
- Sabrina Means
Person
Good afternoon. Sabrina Means, on behalf of The Institute for College Access and Success, or TICAS, as well as the Los Angeles Regional Consortium. On behalf of TICAS, we're thankful for the support, especially Chair Alvarez and Assembly Member Fong, for your support for Cal grant reform this year.
- Sabrina Means
Person
And we urge the assembly to consider phasing in Cal grant reform as laid out in the Cal grant reform coalition's letter submitted on Friday by utilizing the approximately 60 million identified as savings from Cal grant caseload adjustments due to fewer than expected grant recipients.
- Sabrina Means
Person
On behalf of the Los Angeles Regional Consortium and its 19 member colleges, we strongly ask that there are no cuts to the strong workforce program as these funds have an essential economic impact to the region and allocations for the funds have already been planned for at the local level. Thank you.
- Carol Gonzalez
Person
Hi Carol Gonzalez, echoing Sabrina's comments on Cal grant reform, it's a great way for us to really support low income communities first gentlemen and student, parents and other historically underserved communities in lights of cuts and deferments in other spaces. We believe it's a great way to adapt that funding.
- Carol Gonzalez
Person
And then on behalf of Long Beach City College, also echoing the strong workforce comment that Sabrina made, and then on inclusive action for the city, echoing the UC labor comments made before me. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Maria Morales
Person
Good afternoon. Maria Morales on behalf of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, HOPE, echoing the gratitude for your leadership on Cal grant reform, asking for a phased out implementation to benefit students. Also here to urge the Legislature to maintain the support for the Latina Futures lab.
- Maria Morales
Person
The 2022, $15 million allocation hope directly benefits from the work of the Latina futures lab. We call for this funding, especially considering that Latinas are the plurality of women in California, making up 39% of the state's women population. We also know that Latinas face the largest wage gap and are mothers to over half of California's children.
- Maria Morales
Person
Therefore, we know that the research from the Latino Futures lab will be critical to this work. Thank you.
- Chris Reefe
Person
Good afternoon, Mister chair Members. Chris Reefe on behalf of the California School Boards Association, I'll be blunt. Obviously we're opposed to the maneuver. We would like to see the conversation move past the maneuver and get the maneuver out of the way because it's sucking up all the air in the room.
- Chris Reefe
Person
I think it's time to start to have a conversation about how the Legislature of the state follows the constitution in regards to Prop 98, because that's a real solution in terms of how we're going to try to address the deficit that we're facing, not just in the current year, but in the prior and budget year. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Alex Graves
Person
Good afternoon, Alex Graves on behalf of AICCU and our 90 member institutions, want to echo our support for Cal grant reform implementation, as well as finding a way to bring transfer equity for those non traditional students starting at community college and want to use the remaining eligibility at one of our member institutions on the Golden State teacher grant program.
- Alex Graves
Person
Just want to reaffirm that that program has been incredibly impactful and we generally agree with the technical adjustments to extend the length or remaining dollars for the program, but certainly want to see that program continue and be reinvested in the future.
- Alex Graves
Person
Lastly, since nursing was mentioned, I would just urge that we not lose sight of the fact that 51% of the baccalaureate and above nurses produced in the state are done so in our sector. So as we think about partnerships and expansion, we should look to the private nonprofit sector to leverage that. Thank you.
- Samantha Seng
Person
Samantha Seng with Next Gen California here on two items. First, we just wanted to respectfully request the Committee to support part the governor's may revise proposal to fully fund the California school meals for all program. We know the program is working and it covers a critical gap in federal coverage for low-income families.
- Samantha Seng
Person
And then secondly, and as a member of the Cal Grant Reform Coalition, and on behalf of other coalition members who couldn't make it here today, CSU Student Association and the student Senate for California Community colleges, we want to thank you, Chair Alvarez, Assembly Member Fong and this Committee for your focus on finding a pathway for Cal grant reform this year.
- Samantha Seng
Person
As you've noted, it's a powerful program that will help diversify and expand our college student population and support the state's future workforce. Thank you.
- Andrea Ball
Person
Thank you, Mister chair Members Andrea Ball on behalf of the California Association of Suburban School Districts. First, I want to thank you for the hearing. And I, too, want to give a shout out to your staff because they respond to questions throughout the year that really help us craft and understand what's going on.
- Andrea Ball
Person
I think we want to just advise you as you face these really challenging decisions. For local leaders thinking about the cost of living adjustment, it is important. It's a small, much smaller than the past two years, but having that really helps them because they are facing rising costs that they don't control.
- Andrea Ball
Person
And second, as you do have to make some difficult decisions, look to the restricted funds first, if you have to make reductions before cutting general support.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Itzúl Gutierrez
Person
Hi, good afternoon. Itzul Gutierrez with the California Association of Food Banks and on behalf of Grace and Child Poverty California, with one in four children facing food insecurity, school meals for all meets hungry children where they're at and ensures two nutritious meals to any child who wants one.
- Itzúl Gutierrez
Person
We respectfully urge your committee to support the Governor's proposal to fully fund California school meals for all. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Mark Mac Donald
Person
Thank you chair Members Mark McDonald, on behalf of the Los Angeles, San Diego, Southwestern San Bernardino Community College districts, appreciate Member Fong's comments on the COLA. Also support the strong workforce program as we use the funding to bring colleges and industry together on behalf of National University.
- Mark Mac Donald
Person
Just echoing the comments of the Cal grant reform coalition that we would like to see those reforms phased in if possible, particularly where non traditional students can be benefited. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Kathleen Van Osten
Person
Good afternoon, Mister Chair and Members. Kathy Van Austen, representing John Burton Advocates for Youth. They advocate for our students who are the most vulnerable, those who have been in foster care or have been experienced homelessness. Want to thank you, the chair, Vice Chair and staff for your continued commitment to Cal grant reform.
- Kathleen Van Osten
Person
We understand given the budget cost this year, we are supporting the Cal grant reform phase in approach that you're taking, utilizing the 60 million in savings from the lower FAFSA submissions to fund partially implement Cal Grant. Thank you.
- Christina Di Caro
Person
Good afternoon, Mister Chairman and Members. I'm Christina Di Caro, representing the California Library Association here for two cuts relative to the state library. The cut to the California Library Services act will affect the collection of materials that are shared among all of the public libraries in the state, in every region.
- Christina Di Caro
Person
The second cut to the lunch at the library program is frankly so terribly, terribly disappointing and harmful. This is the program that ensures that children, low-income children and teens, receive a free lunch during the summer. And we are told that for some of these children, that may be the only meal that they receive all day. Thank you very much.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Megan Mekelburg
Person
Hi there, Members. Megan Mekelberg here on behalf of Calstart, just wanted to voice our support for the governor's proposal for Zev school buses. We know that children are particularly at risk for the diesel particulate matter that come from these very old Zev school buses. So really just want to urge your support for that proposal. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Edson Perez
Person
Hello, Mister chair Members. Edson Perez with Advanced Energy United. I want to echo the previous comments and strongly support the government's proposed funding for zero emission school buses.
- Edson Perez
Person
Most school buses in California need replacement now, and new buses can be on the road for over 15 years so that any internal combustion engine buses purchased today will be running well past the 2035 mandate that the Legislature put in place.
- Edson Perez
Person
And so the state should really support these districts with tight school budgets to make the right investments and really to clean up the air for the children. So thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Molly Maguire
Person
Good afternoon Molly Maguire with the Campaign for College Opportunity. The May revised budget proposal presents a sobering fiscal picture in the 24-25 and 25-26 budget years with state financial aid, which is often the most important and sometimes the only factor in whether a student attends higher education.
- Molly Maguire
Person
Severely impacted Members of this Committee have a unique opportunity to make a difference in these students lives by enlisting the full power of the state to create a safety net for students attempting to apply for and enroll in higher ed. According to CSAC, we are over 15% down in FAFSA applications compared to this time last year.
- Molly Maguire
Person
And while full funding for Cal grant equity is no longer an option for 24-25 the need remains for a multi year, phased in approach to full implementation that works within existing budget. We'll follow up with more details. Thank you.
- Carlos Rojas
Person
Good afternoon Mister chair and Committee Members. Carlos Rojas, representing the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office, first and foremost want to thank the Committee for your clear commitment to protecting K-12 funding and urge you to reject the governor's Prop 98 maneuver that will artificially stand to really diminish funds for schools in the long run.
- Carlos Rojas
Person
And as a former teacher, I align my comments and thoughts with you, Chair Alvarez, that the further you can make the cuts away from the classroom, the better. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you.
- Ana Padilla
Person
Hi everyone, my name is Ana Padilla and I'm the Executive Director of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center. I'm here to express my concern with the May revised proposed budget cuts to the UC labor centers.
- Ana Padilla
Person
Ongoing funds for decades, UC labor centers have played a leading role in producing world class research and public education that has informed major policies in California and across the country at the intersection of work and immigration, Healthcare, shifting industries, climate change and public disasters, the proposed budget cuts would have a disastrous impact on policymaking for those furthest on the margins, and it would eliminate the state's only applied research center in the Central Valley, one of the most economically and environmentally disadvantaged regions of the nation.
- Ana Padilla
Person
We propose that the labor center's annual ongoing allocation of the cut, thank you.
- Euni Linden
Person
Good afternoon Mister chair Members. My name is Euni Linden with Public Advocates. We thank you for highlighting the importance of the Golden State Teacher grant program and continue to oppose cuts to the program, which is essential to recruiting teachers and especially diverse teachers.
- Euni Linden
Person
We again want to highlight the need for an education bond and urge the state to fix our school capital finance system, which delivers twice as much per pupil in the wealthiest districts as the poorest districts.
- Euni Linden
Person
We ask the state to instead employ an equitable sliding scale, like the system for funding school operations, to distribute school capital financing in a constitutional manner. Thank you.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Thank you very much. Once again, want to thank all the members of the public today's hearing and at the 11 other hearings. We appreciate all of your input. You are welcome to continue to provide input in writing or by calling our offices. Look forward to hearing from you as we try to finalize this budget negotiation.
- David Alvarez
Legislator
Again, thank you all for being here. Our meeting is adjourned.
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