Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger promised ambitious reforms to strengthen California in his State of the State address Tuesday evening, calling for universal health care and alternative fuel sources in light of global warming concerns.
Since his inauguration Friday, Schwarzenegger has styled himself as a centrist looking to draw from both sides of the political spectrum to bring change to California. The dramatic proposals would amount to $43.3 billion.
Schwarzenegger maintained the importance of both K-12 and higher education.
“His current budget actually increases funding for higher education and cuts fees at community colleges. The governor has invested money to offset tuition increases so that students wouldn’t have to pay increased fees,” said Sabrina Lockhart, a spokeswoman for the governor.
But some students remain skeptical that the governor will actually prevent a rise in tuition the way he did last year.
“Last year he got our fee hikes out; he put enough money in the budget to cover that and it’s uncertain that he’s going to do that again,” said Tina Park, external vice president of the Undergraduate Students Association Council.
The governor’s education reforms emphasize efforts to expand K-12 education, promising to build 15,000 new classrooms and renovate an additional 40,000.
Stressing accountability and transparency within the school system, the governor unveiled a plan to allow parents to monitor school finances and policies online.
Drawing an ovation, the governor also announced plans to support career technological education programs to help train students in specific careers.
How these budget proposals will affect higher education remains in question.
“K-12 is really suffering in the state of California,” Park said. “Those students that benefit from K-12 education need a place to go in college, and if we’re not funding higher education in the right way, they might not consider the California education system. Students need to know that they have a place in the California education system – that it is accessible to them.”
Still, the governor has said some money will go toward higher education as well. Lockhart said the governor’s school reform measures include renovating classrooms and laboratories at University of California and California State University campuses.
Schwarzenegger has also announced a plan to guarantee health care to more than 6.5 million uninsured Californians. Under the plan, all children, including those who are in the state illegally, would receive health care, as would adults who currently do not have insurance.
But he also addressed welfare reform by proposing “full family sanctions” in an effort to encourage state welfare recipients to work by shrinking benefits to those that do not meet a certain number of work hours.
Schwarzenegger also promised environmental reform with the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce the “carbon intensity” of passenger vehicles by 10 percent in 2020.
Other pressing issues include reforming California’s overcrowded prisons, as well as a proposal to use a $4.5 billion bond to improve water infrastructure.
Lockhart added that the governor eventually plans to address pension benefit reform and redistricting.
Schwarzenegger said he hopes to move forward with his proposals despite partisan divides.
“The future does not wait,” Schwarzenegger said.
With reports from Bruin wire services.