We're grateful that the latest budget proposal offered by the Democratic leadership of the Assembly and Senate keeps funding of higher education exactly the same as what Gov. Schwarzenegger is proposing. While we recognize that balancing the state budget is extremely challenging, it's heartening that funding of higher education continues to be a high priority for legislators as well as the governor. We strongly support efforts to increase federal funds coming to California, and stand ready to assist state policymakers in any way we can.

This budget proposal demonstrates the Legislature's continuing commitment to invest in higher education that is critical to the long-term economic recovery of California and future fiscal stability of the state. The proposed budget recommendations support the restoration of $305 million for core academic instruction and $51.3 million to support access for more than 5,000 students. The funding proposed in this plan would protect more than 4,000 faculty and staff jobs, reduce the potential for significant additional increases in student fees and protect UC's ability to enroll first-time freshmen and serve more community college students. In addition, the budget recommendations would include $355 million for capital construction projects that will create more than 3,300 jobs, consistent with the governor's and legislature's intent of supporting a 2010 state budget that helps drive job creation and stimulate the economy.

It's vitally important to the economic health of the state that, even in a tough fiscal environment, Democratic and Republican legislators do all they can to maintain the quality and accessibility of all three segments of higher education. The long-term future of California depends on a robust public higher education system that creates jobs, educational opportunity and innovation. For the short term, we very much desire expedited resolution of the budget, especially with the 2010-11 academic year beginning in two weeks at our UC Berkeley and UC Merced campuses and next month at our other eight campuses.

Statement from UC Vice President for Budget Patrick Lenz on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's May revision to the state budget:

We are extremely grateful that the governor has made higher education a top priority in his proposed budget. The restoration in funding for the University of California will help us maintain access and protect financial aid for thousands of young Californians who look to our campuses as portals of opportunity. We especially applaud the governor's decision to fully fund Cal Grants, which are critical to the future of so many low- and middle- income students across the state.

The governor's budget recommendations for UC — which include the restoration of $305 million to the UC budget, $51.3 million to support student access, and $355 million for capital facility construction — are consistent with his and the Legislature's objective to create new jobs with limited state resources.

This budget will also assist UC in protecting the jobs of current employees and to add more than 3,300 private sector jobs associated with the building and construction detailed in the capital facilities funding proposal.

We appreciate the difficult decisions that face Sacramento in this fiscal crisis. We hope that as the budget process unfolds this summer, the Legislature will support the governor's proposed funding for all three segments of public higher education: Investing in higher education is the key to California's economic recovery and long-term health.

Working to combat a steep slide in state support for higher education, UC advocates are planning large rallies in Sacramento this spring to persuade lawmakers that public higher education should be a funding priority.

The UC Student Association on March 1 will hold a rally and press conference at the state Capitol. UC President Mark G. Yudof, along with several UC regents and chancellors, will join student organizers later in the day for meetings with key legislative leaders.

"Our students are a critical voice in delivering our message to Sacramento, and it's great to see them engaging in this way," said Yudof. "We are honoring the wishes of the UCSA leaders and not taking a role in their public rally, but we will be visiting legislative leaders together that day to show our solidarity and to express how much we all care about UC's future."

To read more, go to http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/article/22810.

VP Dooley has recorded a video message to update the ANR family about the governor’s state budget proposal, progress in our restructuring around the Strategic Vision, and advocacy.

Please view the video at your convenience above or at http://ucanr.org/dooley020810. A transcript is available at http://ucanr.org/Dooley02-2010.