Panelists alongside Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico during their AB 656 discussion
Alberto Torrico, Assembly Majority Leader, visited CSULA last Wednesday, as part of his four day campus tour to propose a solution for the statewide budget crisis: AB 656.
“For the first time in our states history we will spend more money on our state prison system than on higher education, the UC system, CSU system, and Community Colleges combined. It’s an aberration and it’s wrong. So how do we turn that around?” said Torrico.
The event was organized by the Union Labor Council, California Faculty Association, Academic Professionals of CA-APC, CSU Employee Union (CSUEU), State Employees Trades Council-United (SETC), Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico, and many CSULA community activists.
Nearly 300 guests attended the event inside the Golden Eagle Ballroom and were offered snacks and beverages during the evening discussion.
Colored handouts were placed at each seat with information regarding the $584 million budget cut, including a recent LA Times article, local CSU campus information, and an AB 656 fact sheet.
According to the fact sheet, AB 656 would create the CA Higher Education Fund (CHEF), which can generate revenues from a 9.9 percent tax placed on oil extracted by the state. CHEF is modeled after a 100-year old Texas foundation that uses investment revenues to fund construction costs at the University of Texas.
California is recognized as one of the nation’s third largest producer of oil, however, the golden state is still one of the only oil producing sources that does not have an ongoing severance tax on oil.
Members from the panel were enthusiastic about explaining the bill and its sensibility as a state funding solution. Lilian Taiz, President of the CFA and CSULA graduate, shared a popular chant with the audience as she called, “What’s the fix?” participators roared “656!”
Torrico and associates are working to raise 100,000 signed pledge cards from AB 656 supporters that will be sent to the Governor later this year.
Joaquin Beltran, CSULA ASI President, gave a brief speech supporting Torrico and the anticipated bill. “Majority leader Alberto Torrico has proposed a great plan, funding that would help higher education, but he can’t do it alone,” said Beltran. He continued, “We have about a 450,000 army with the CSU system at our disposal. The American dream starts with education, and if higher education is getting cut, that dream will become more and more distant.”
Beltran also mentioned the newly created ASI lobby core for students, which would assist individuals in voicing their opinions and making district visits to legislatures. The first lobby core meeting will take place today, October 22 from 3PM-5PM, inside the ASI Conference Room.
The option of attending college is becoming more selective and less available for future generation scholars. Torrico assured CSULA that Assembly Bill 656 would make the concept of higher education a priority.
Torrico explained that AB 656 is the same fee that Governor Schwarzenegger proposed nine months ago. A bipartisan issue, he claims that the bill would raise 1 billion dollars, and every penny generated would go to making higher education more attainable for students statewide.
According to Torrico, the bill is essential to provide “an educated workforce, a vibrant strong economy, and a state where our young leaders are ready to take over the reigns. We need new leadership new direction, bolder proposals to fulfill the states’ growing demands.”
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