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Wednesday March 24, 2010 |
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Town hall meeting focuses on budget issues Tegan Silva STAFF WRITER
California’s revenue in February was $480 million more than the governor’s estimate, putting the state in a better position to prevent more cuts to its universities. This has been the third consecutive month the revenue has been above the projection, said Frederica Shockley, chair and professor in the economics department. The Northern California State Budget Alliance hosted a town hall meeting March 11 to discuss the current state budget crisis and possible solutions. During the economic downturn and the predicted $20 billion state budget shortfall, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a budget that would drastically cut spending by at least 10 percent in almost every state department, said Sue Hilderbrand, executive director of the Chico Peace and Justice Center. This move would also cut services for many Californians,
especially the poor, the many local services, said Evan LeVang, executive elderly and the disabled. “We’re working within director of Independent Livthis reality,” Hilderbrand ing Services of Northern said. “We’re trying to figure California. There is also a out how to work under the concern about the immediate economic impact. current system.” “It would be easier to deal There is an $18 billion hole in the state budget, Shock- with these cuts if we knew it ley said. This is the sum of was a part of a larger plan for recovery, but $6.6 billion they’re not,” at the end of We’re trying LeVang said. the current “It’s just cut fiscal year to figure out how and cut and and $12.3 bilcut year after lion potential to work under the year, till deficit for the current system.” there’s nothfollowing fisSue Hilderbrand Executive Director of CPJ ing left.” cal year, she Creating an said. The governor can imple- environment where businesses ment “trigger cuts,” which can be successful and put peoare cuts and eliminations of ple back to work is the key to programs, if the federal gov- climbing out of the economic ernment does not deliver downturn, said Jolene Francis, the $8 billion needed for the president and chief executive state budget, she said. If the officer of the Chico Chamber of state does not receive the $8 Commerce. “I think that we’re all interbillion, Chico State may lose related like one big patchwork more than $4 million. There is a fear of massive quilt,” Francis said. “If the service cuts and complete seams are coming undone, program elimination for we all have to work together
to make sure that we fix it.” The unemployment rate and the increase of tuition costs have made it increasingly difficult for people to attain a degree and a living, said freshman Alex Brown, 25. “There is not one perfect plan for California,” Brown said. “But higher education has become less important over the years and needs dire attention more than ever.” A student who attains a bachelor’s degree increases his or her earnings by about $1.2 million through his or her lifetime and those who attain a post-graduate degree increases his or her income by about $1.6 million during his or her lifetime, said Lester Jauron, vice president for Planning and Information at Butte College. More cuts to classes and increased tuition are making it more difficult for students to attain a higher education, he said. THE ORION • CAMBRIA ROBISON
Tegan Silva can be reached at tsilva@theorion.com
REALITY CHECK Sue Hilderbrand of the Chico Peace and Justice Center speaks to those in attendance at the City Council Chambers.
BOARD: Two students compete for trustee position CHILE: Quake provides continued from A1
for the position, Jayousi said. Bishai participates in the Chico State Student Democratic Club and the Speech and Debate team, in addition to his position on the legislative affairs committee, he said. This involvement reflects the importance of clubs and organizations to the CSU system. “When you go to school, you want to find your niche,” Bishai said. The wide variety of campus clubs he is involved with makes Bishai a good representative of students, he said. “I really feel I can represent
the CSU as a whole, not just Chico State,” Bishai said. Bishai has strong potential and dedication to student issues, Jayousi said. “Michael has a flattering personality that makes him a pleasure to listen to,” he said. “He’s an eloquent public speaker who commands the acceptance of his audience.” Hackney’s experience at the Community Legal Information Center and his understanding of California’s political structure makes him a good candidate for the position, Jayousi said. “He has a firm stance on all issues and he is talented in
defending his positions with balance and temperament,” he said. “He’s also a fierce defender of the student body and has always thrown his full force behind any bill which favors students.” Hackney thinks his passion for staying informed makes him a good candidate for the position, he said. “Staying informed is interesting to me,” Hackney said. “I definitely want to be there to serve the students.” Working as a director of the consumer protection agency at CLIC has taught Hackney how to work with different interests and egos to compromise
— something he will use if appointed to the Board of Trustees, he said. One of his goals, if selected, is to build a stronger rapport between the board and CSU students, who often incorrectly perceive the board as an enemy to student needs, Hackney said. The deadline for students to apply is April 9, Vagts said. From there, a pool of applicants will be selected for interviews and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will make the fi nal appointment by June 30. Sean Longoria can be reached at slongoria@theorion.com
students with big scare continued from A1
almost 100 years old, but it’s very sturdy,” she said. After growing up in the Bay Area, Teicheira is used to earthquakes, she said. “I actually fi nd them kind of exciting,” Teicheira said. She slept through the original earthquake on an island off the coast of Chile while doing a field study, Teicheira said. She couldn’t contact her host mother for three days since the phone lines were down. After the earthquake,
Teicheira’s Facebook and e-mail were overwhelmed with inquiries from concerned family members and friends, she said. Like the other study abroad students, Teicheira hasn’t changed her plans because of the earthquake, she said. Teicheira has classes through the end of April and will travel to Argentina, Paraguay and Peru before returning to Chico in May. Victor Cantu can be reached at vcantu@theorion.com