Statement from UC Vice President for Budget Patrick Lenz on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's May revision to the state budget:

We are extremely grateful that the governor has made higher education a top priority in his proposed budget.  The restoration in funding for the University of California will help us maintain access and protect financial aid for thousands of young Californians who look to our campuses as portals of opportunity.  We especially applaud the governor's decision to fully fund Cal Grants, which are critical to the future of so many low- and middle- income students across the state.

The governor's budget recommendations for UC — which include the restoration of $305 million to the UC budget, $51.3 million to support student access, and $355 million for capital facility construction — are consistent with his and the Legislature's objective to create new jobs with limited state resources.

This budget will also assist UC in protecting the jobs of current employees and to add more than 3,300 private sector jobs associated with the building and construction detailed in the capital facilities funding proposal.

We appreciate the difficult decisions that face Sacramento in this fiscal crisis. We hope that as the budget process unfolds this summer, the Legislature will support the governor's proposed funding for all three segments of public higher education: Investing in higher education is the key to California's economic recovery and long-term health.