January 14, 2022 – EdSource asked observers, advocates, students and legislators to initiate the discussion with their first take on the governor’s budget for 2022-23. The article includes two questions and answers from Sbeydeh Viveros Walton, director of higher education at Public Advocates:

What among the governor’s proposals will most advance students’ recovery from the pandemic and why?

“Addressing the total cost of college, especially issues that are voiced by students as their priorities: optimizing the time students spend at community colleges to ensure that they complete their degrees and transfer as soon as possible, the rising cost of housing for community college students, exorbitant textbook costs and investing in existing equity initiatives across the three public segments.

What priority should have been in the budget but wasn’t?

“We were disappointed not to see a more aggressive investment in Cal Grant reform in the governor’s proposed budget. We will continue to work with students and the administration to ensure that full implementation of the Cal Grant equity framework remains a priority as we move toward an adopted budget in June. Reforming the state’s grant aid program outright will ensure that more low-income students have access to California’s state aid program and participate in California’s economy.”

Click here to read the article.