California higher education officials are warning lawmakers deeper budget cuts will mean reduced student access. Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal includes a $400 million reduction for community colleges. His plan also calls for a $500 million cut for both the California State University and the University of California.
At a hearing of the Assembly Higher Education committee Tuesday, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed testified that 85 percent of his budget pays for staff – and there are few options:
“This is not a warning, but there is such a thing as too much efficiency,” he said.
Community College Chancellor Jack Scott echoed that sentiment. “We can’t continue to do more with less.”
Scott says campuses will have to eliminate classes if the legislature adopts more cuts for community colleges.
California faces a $25 billion budget gap and Gov. Brown’s budget slices spending from almost every sector of government.
