Wealthy Californians will weather tuition increases. Lower-income students are eligible for financial aid, which helps defray increases. But for vast numbers of middle-class parents and their children, the tuition increase amounts to a tax hike, pure and simple. When Gov. Ronald Reagan took office in 1967, the state spent 8 percent of its budget on the University of California and 4 percent on the prison system. This year, the state will spend 3 percent of its $86 billion general fund budget on UC, and roughly 10 percent on prisons. California lawmakers and voters need to focus on priorities. The tax system needs a serious overhaul. But this state’s prosperity depends on a well-funded college and university system that is accessible to the middle class.

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by The Editors, The Sacramento Bee.

Posted: July 10th, 2011, by: admin. Categories: . Awaiting Comments.