Action Alert: May Revision to 2023-24 California State Budget

The Community College League of California is a strong advocate for the California Community Colleges. The League continues to meet with state lawmakers and representatives of the Administration to maximize support of our institutions and we need your help in this process.

California’s Community Colleges have a limited time to impact the Legislature’s preliminary response to the Governor’s May Revision. The deadline for this round is May 26.

Please contact your Assembly Member and State Senators with the following message and accompanying talking points to ask for their support on these items. This is particularly important if your legislator serves on either the Assembly or Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance.

Topical priorities include:

• Support the Governor’s proposed COLA at 8.22%.
• Support the Governor’s proposed one-time funding for affordable student housing, which is $450 million for 2023-24 and $95.4 million for 2024-25.
• Urge flexible local control in budgeting over one-time expenditures, namely Deferred Maintenance, COVID-19 Block Grant, and Enrollment Growth.

For all three items, briefly describe the local impact on your district and/or college.

Download a PDF of action items and talking points.

California May Revision 2023-24 Budget Talking Points

Despite a projected $31.5 billion shortfall in state revenues, the Governor’s May Revision reflects an overall commitment to the vital role of community colleges.

The Community College League of California continues to meet with state lawmakers and representatives of the Administration to maximize support of our institutions, and we need your help in this process. Our positions on the budget are based on the three pillars of Stability, Predictability, and Flexibility all within a framework of Equity.

Cost of Living Adjustment

• The League supports the Governor’s proposed 8.22% COLA as the centerpiece and most critical element of the budget.

Affordable Housing Grants

• The League supports the Administration’s proposal for one-time General Fund support for affordable student housing at $450 million in 2023-24 and $95.4 million in 2024-25.
• Any housing proposal moving forward must focus on student affordability.

Reductions to One-Time Funds

• The League urges the Legislature to mitigate the impact of reductions in critical one-time funds by employing a combination of the following:
• Employ deferrals in lieu of reductions for items slated for cuts.
• Allow flexibility in spending between Deferred Maintenance, COVID-19 Block Grant, and Enrollment Strategies.