Although the allocation of new funds to the University of California in Gov. Jerry Brown’s new budget proposal for 2013-2014 has been hailed as a save-all solution for the state’s programs, it should not be treated as such.
For the first time since the recession, the state will not have a budget deficit heading into the year, Brown said during a press conference after releasing the budget proposal last week.
Brown added that the funding allocations in his proposed budget, which include an additional $250 million in funding for the UC, reflect his commitment to reinvest in K-12 and higher education. While this renewed commitment to increasing funds for the UC is a step in the right direction, we feel that there are several problems with it.
First, the University will not have sufficient state funding to get through the 2013-2014 year, even if it receives the funds proposed in Brown’s budget.
UC spokeswoman Dianne Klein said the University would still face a $150 million budget gap for the 2013-2014 academic year, assuming the money allocated to it in the proposed budget does not change before it is finalized.
About $900 million has been cut from the UC since 2007-2008, and the additional $250 million is merely a drop in the bucket when one considers how the UC has been underfunded for years.
A one-off promise of extra state funds will not solve its funding problem.
Additionally, the proposed funding allocations have strings attached, which we feel will prevent the UC Board of Regents from being able to effectively address problems at the University. The strings are not legally binding and the regents can choose to spend the money where they deem fit without following the state’s suggestions.
This, however, could negatively impact the University’s funding in future years, because the state is responsible for allocating money to the UC.
California’s economy is also based on a volatile revenue stream, which adds to the uncertainty of the state’s funding model, said Daniel Mitchell, a professor emeritus of the Anderson School of Management and Luskin School of Public Affairs.
Because of this uncertainty, the University will need to continue looking for ways to save money without relying on the state to pull through every time. At a time when there is no guarantee the expected surpluses will last, university officials should continue efforts to save money.
We urge the state’s lawmakers to be more prudent with its budget allocations for 2013-2014 and to work with the UC to develop a more long-term plan to reinvest in the University.
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board.