Brown's Budget Slashes Funding To Higher Education

OAKLAND (AP) — California's public colleges and universities would suffer another round of painful funding cuts under a "tough budget" proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Under the proposal released Monday, the 10-campus University of California system and 23-campus California State University system would each see a $500 million reduction in state funding in the fiscal year beginning July 1.

The state would cut funding to California's 112 community colleges $400 million, which would mean an increase in student fees from $26 to $36 per unit.

The leaders of UC, CSU and California Community Colleges say the budget cuts could force them to raise tuition, turn away qualified students or take other draconian cost-cutting measures.

K-12 education would be the only area spared in Brown's budget, but only if voters approve tax extensions.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)