Jerry Brown’s big tax increase spares school cuts
California’s education world cheered the passage of Proposition 30, which spared massive budget cuts and tuition increases.
The ballot measure won with 54% of California voters — nearly 60% in L.A. County.
For public school districts, the measure’s success was mostly about escaping another wave of severe budget cuts, including teacher layoffs, curtailed instructional time and larger classes. But for higher education, the measure is expected to reap immediate positive benefits.
California’s community college system will restore thousands of classes, somewhat easing a huge backlog of students unable to complete their degrees. Cal State students can look forward to modest tuition refunds. And annual tuition increases at the University of California are on hold for now.
Community colleges will receive about $210 million in additional funding and serve about 20,000 more students, new Chancellor Brice W. Harris said at a Wednesday media briefing.