Gov. Brown proposes a balanced budget

California Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed $97.6 billion general fund budget for fiscal 2013-14  boosts spending on education, implements health care reform and eliminates what was a $25 billion state deficit when the governor took office, reported Tim Hearden in Capital Press.

The governor's proposal increases funding for both public schools and higher education, adding $250 million for the University of California and California State University systems. The increases come after voters approved higher income and sales taxes in Proposition 30 in November, bringing relief to UC Cooperative Extension officials who feared further cuts if the measure hadn't passed, the article said.

The budget proposes a multi-year stable funding plan to strengthen the California higher education system, ensure affordability and reduce student indebtedness, according to the news release issued by Gov. Brown's office.

Gov. Jerry Brown shows a graphic at his press conference comparing state funding for education from 2007 to 2017. (Photo: State of California)

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