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Hello, I’m Mark Yudof.
I want to give you a quick update
on the state budget process
and our advocacy efforts
for the University of California.
Last month, Governor Schwarzenegger issued a “May Revise”
that was quite favorable to the University
even amid a 19-billion-dollar state budget gap.
It included restoration of 305 million dollars
cut from our budget on a one-time basis last year;
51 million dollars for a portion of our unfunded enrollments;
and full funding for the Cal Grant program.
We got more good news when the leadership of the Assembly
and Senate weighed in with their budget proposals.
The budget committees in both houses
put forward plans that contained more or less the governor’s proposals for UC
though with some differences in the details.
I was very heartened by these strong demonstrations of support
from both the Governor and the Legislature.
It’s real progress to have our state’s elected leaders publicly recognizing
the value of higher education in the ways they have.
Clearly, our message is being heard –
the message that higher education is one of the most important
investments this state can make in its future.
Our advocacy efforts are having an impact!
I want to thank everyone – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends
who has taken the time to write an email to Sacramento,
to call a legislator,
or to be part of one of our lobby days at the state Capitol.
We’re going to need more of it,
because the process isn’t over yet.
The budget conference committee is now meeting
to put together a final state budget,
and there are many, many competing priorities across the state.
We have a lot more work to do.
If you’d like to be involved in our advocacy efforts,
I encourage you to visit UCforCalifornia.org.
That is our advocacy web site where you can email members of the Legislature
and sign up for informational updates throughout the summer.
Thank you for everything you’ve done so far,
and please keep up the good work.
I appreciate your efforts.