California Governor Seeks More Money for Higher Ed

California Governor Jerry Brown, a Democrat, will present his 2014-15 budget plan today, and a leaked copy suggests a continued recovery in state support for higher education -- especially for community colleges. The University of California and California State University systems would each receive a 5 percent increase, contingent on continued adherence to a deal with the state to freeze tuition rates. State funds for community colleges would increase by more than 11 percent. In his budget plan, Governor Brown calls for more efforts throughout public higher education to be more efficient and to improve graduation rates. While the plan requires legislative approval, the ideas in the plan have attracted legislative support.

Governor Brown is also proposing a $50 million awards program to use $50 million in one-time General Fund for the Awards for Innovation in Higher Education program. Funds would support grants for colleges with plans to "significantly increase the number of individuals in the state who earn bachelor’s degrees, allow students to earn bachelor’s degrees that can be completed within four years of enrollment in higher education and ease transfer through the state’s education system, including by recognizing learning that has occurred across the state’s education segments or elsewhere."