1 minute
SANTA CLARITA – Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R- Santa Clarita, has co-authored legislation that would protect University of California, California State University and community college students from rising costs through a seven year tuition freeze.
“As a former College Board trustee I know how important it is to keep college affordable. Sacramento needs to keep their word to California taxpayers and students as it applies to Prop 30. I have co-authored legislation to ensure college tuition does not rise for the seven years the tax increases created by Prop. 30 are in effect,” said Wilk.
The passage of Prop. 30 this past November created a statewide tax increase that will generate $50 billion in new revenue over seven years for public education. However, there is no specific language in Prop. 30 that actually guarantees new tax revenue will actually go to California's public colleges and universities. Despite what Prop. 30's supporters said to college students and their families, the Legislature can use a significant part of these new taxes in areas other than our schools.
AB 67 would hold tuition and fees for UC, CSU, and community colleges at their 2011-12 levels for the seven years that Proposition 30 is in effect.“I welcome the news of a tuition freeze for the duration of the Prop. 30 tax increase. Since I started taking classes, tuition has been raised twice, so the prospect of a freeze in tuition excites me. While I will worry about the increase in sales tax, the idea of not having to worry about a rise in tuition costs provides me with some comfort,” said former College of the Canyons Student Trustee Alex McHaddad.