Devastating Cuts in the Offing

Last Thursday, Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled his May Revision budget proposal, outlining his proposed budget solutions under two scenarios—a “base” proposal that assumes the ballot measures in Tuesday’s special election pass, and a “contingency” proposal assuming the measures fail. The base proposal balances a projected $15.4 billion budget shortfall. The contingency proposal balances a projected $21.3 billion budget shortfall.

Both the base and the contingency proposals contain deep cuts in all areas of the budget. In the current year (2008-09), Proposition 98 spending would be reduced by between $1 billion and $1.6 billion. For 2009-10, Proposition 98 spending would be reduced by between $2 billion and $3.7 billion. (The lower end of the ranges are under the base proposal, the higher under the contingency proposal.)

For the California Community Colleges, the proposed cuts would be devastating. The Governor’s proposed cuts are as follows:

Current Year (2008-09):
(CCC budget is identical under base and contingency proposals)

• Defer an additional $115 in apportionment payments from 2008-09 to 2009-10.
• $85 million in across-the-board cuts to categorical programs.
• Broad flexibility for districts to spend categorical funds to meet local needs. This flexibility applies to all categorical programs except Financial Aid Administration and Cal Works. (Categorical programs include Basic Skills, Noncredit Matriculation, EOPS, etc.)
• The Administration estimates a $42.1 million local property tax shortfall and proposes no backfill for the colleges.

Budget Year (2009-10):

Base Proposal:

• $221.6 million in across the board cuts to categorical programs. Flexibility noted above.
• Eliminate 1 percent enrollment growth, cut of $58 million (would leave 2 percent growth funding)
• $120 million cut to apportionments to implement the Legislative Analyst's Office’s recommendation to lower the funding rate for credit PE and recreation courses to the non-credit rate.
• The Administration projects a $116.7 million local property tax shortfall and proposes no backfill for the colleges.

Contingency Proposal:

• All elements of base proposal.
• Eliminate an additional 1 percent enrollment growth, additional cut of $58 million (would leave 1 percent growth funding).
• An additional $122 million in across-the-board cuts to categorical programs.

It is hard to imagine how California community colleges will fare under the scenarios described above. Clearly the magnitude of these proposed cuts would deliver a devastating blow to the community colleges as they attempt to serve the tremendous demand from unemployed Californians and students shut out from UC and CSU. What is troubling is that, based on a preliminary assessment, it appears that the community colleges were targeted for a disproportionate share of budget cuts. Further, this proposal does not appear to take into account the roughly $3 billion in federal stimulus funds allocated to K-12, UC, and CSU to address the earlier cuts to those segments.

However, Schwarzenegger's proposal is just that, a proposal, and will be subject to re-negotiations as it moves through the legislative process.

(The information for this posting comes from emails from CCCCO--California Community College Chancellor's Office.)