Statement from Patrick Lenz, Vice President-Budget, University of California,
on today's action by the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance

We applaud Speaker John Pérez and the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, who have made the restoration of funding for higher education a key priority. Today's subcommittee action approved a $305 million restoration in core state funding, $51 million for enrollments and $344 million for capital facilities, as well as funding to address college affordability among other critical items. Clearly Speaker Pérez and legislators recognize that the quality and affordability of our higher education system is critical to the economic and social future of the state.

The job of closing the state budget gap is an extremely challenging one. We admire the courage and foresight being demonstrated by the Speaker and members of the Legislature as they work to protect California's higher education system in a tough economic climate. We recognize that the budget process is just that, a process, and that there is a difficult road ahead as decisions are made. We intend to work diligently with all parties in Sacramento as we move forward to ensure UC funding remains a top priority.