Governor unveils 2015 state budget

After being inaugurated for his fourth term Jan. 5, California Governor Jerry Brown released the 2015-2016 state budget on Friday: the $133 billion budget is the largest ever for the state.

Higher education did not get what it expected from the governor. The California State University system will get an increase of $119.5 million in 2015-2016 to its general fund but that increase is contingent on not raising tuition costs.

According to Gov. Brown, “This funding should obviate the need for CSU to increase student tuition and fees and can be used by the university to meet its most pressing needs.”

The CSU Board of Trustees requested $269 million from the state in November for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The $119.5 million is $156 million short of what many CSU officials feel is vital for the system to improve.

“Despite the incremental increase in funding, the proposed amount of general disqualify the UC system from the additional $119.5 million allocated to the ten campus system by Gov. Brown in the budget on Friday.

The CSU Board of Trustees chose to take a “wait and see” approach hopeful that the state would meet the $213 million requested in their total $269 million 2015-2016 budget. Now that Gov. Brown made his budget official some students are worried about the potential aftermath.

“I can barely afford school now so it would be tough on me if they raise tuition,” business major Edwin Dargen said. “I saw what happened at Cal [UC Berkeley] and if I have to protest and sleep in a classroom to keep costs down, I will.”

At this time the CSU Board of Trustees has not decided to increase tuition. While the new budget could lead to potential tuition hikes, CSU Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer, Steve Relyea remains optimistic.

“The governor’s budget proposal affirms his commitment to invest in the CSU and acknowledges the university’s vital role as a leading economic driver in the state and nation, providing quality degree programs that support the success and social mobility of the university’s highly diverse student population,” said Relyea.

Gov. Brown’s revised budget will be available mid-May and the enacted budget will be available in the summer.