By Assemblymember Rocky Chávez
Spiraling tuition rates at California State University and University of California campuses are threatening to price low and middle income students out of their college education. Over the past decade, tuition costs have tripled at California’s public universities. These increases have forced many students to delay starting school or to discontinue classes because they cannot afford the tuition.
Stabilizing tuition rates and funding our public universities must be a priority if we hope to attract and retain high wage-paying employers in the state. That is why I, along with my colleagues Assemblymembers Kristen Olsen and Jeff Gorell, introduced Assembly Bill 67.
AB 67 works to address the issue of rising tuition rates by freezing CSU and UC tuition for four years. In addition, our bill guarantees that funds appropriated by Proposition 30 will be used for their intended purpose – funding higher education in California. Voters approved Proposition 30 because they recognize the value and importance of higher education. However, the text of Proposition 30 does not specifically promise funds to the CSU and UC systems. While the governor’s newly revised budget includes a similar proposal, only by passing AB 67 will funding for higher education be protected.
AB 67 passed the Assembly Committee on Higher Education with overwhelming bipartisan support. These committee members recognized the importance of affordable education and stood up for California’s students.
Unfortunately, because of the bill’s supposed fiscal impact, it has been placed on the Appropriations Committee suspense file and will be voted on during the May 24 committee hearing.
I would like to encourage you to make your voice heard! This bill is essential not only to students, but to the economic health and future of our state. We need to stop tuition increases from making a college degree unattainable.
Please visit http://freezethefees.com/ to read more about AB 67 and sign a petition expressing your support. You can also contact Members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee and ask for their yes vote. Individual members’ office and email contacts are available at http://apro.assembly.ca.gov/membersstaff. These Legislators need to hear from you!
Only by ensuring that a well-educated workforce exists in California can we hope to retain and attract employers to the state. Making higher education affordable and accessible must be a priority, and this bill is a good step toward ensuring that California’s students are the cream of the crop.
Rocky J. Chávez is a retired Marine Colonel, former City Councilman and former Acting Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. He represents California’s 76th Assembly District, which includes Camp Pendleton, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside and Vista.