Yudof praises governor's call for change in higher education priorities
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today in his final State of the State address that he would propose an amendment to the state Constitution that would bar California from spending a higher percentage of state money on prisons than on higher education. The governor described the proposal as "a historic and transforming realignment of California's priorities."
The amendment he introduced would limit the state correctional budget to no more than 7 percent of state general fund revenue and guarantee that the University of California and California State University together would receive no less than 10 percent. The funding shift would begin in the 2011-12 fiscal year and be fully realized in 2014-15.
"Spending 45 percent more on prisons than universities is no way to proceed into the future," Schwarzenegger said. "What does it say about a state that focuses more on prison uniforms than caps and gowns? It simply is not healthy. I will submit to you a constitutional amendment so that never again do we spend a greater percentage of our money on prisons than on higher education."
University of California President Mark G. Yudof termed the governor's call "a bold and visionary plan that represents a fundamental restoration of the values and priorities that have made California great.
"I am extremely pleased that the Governor understands how vital it is to return the University of California and the California State University system to solid financial footing. Over the long term, the Governor’s proposal will provide California’s public universities with much-needed stability to plan for the future and to maintain affordability, access and excellence. In the short term, however, there are still critical budget shortfalls that will require the attention of the Governor and the Legislature.
"Our public universities have been powerful engines of economic growth and social advancement in the past and will be even more vital in the knowledge economy of the future. Any money spent on them should never be seen as a cost, but as an investment in California. I am delighted that Governor Schwarzenegger recognizes the need for our state to invest again in education and innovation. I look forward to working with the Governor and with the Legislature to see that this proposal reaches the ballot so that the people of California may have a voice in their own future."
UC Board of Regents Chairman Russell Gould called the governor's plan to shift state priorities "an insightful and essential action. With his higher education proposal, the Governor has acted to take what could be a monumental step forward for the state.
"As Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of California, I look forward to exploring the details of the Governor’s idea with my colleagues and to working with the Governor and the Legislature to advance the cause of adequate higher education funding. Securing the funding of higher education is securing the promise of California. The trend of chronic disinvestment in the University of California and the California State University systems must be reversed. The road to a stronger economy and a brighter future for California runs straight through its great public universities."
