State needs a way to fund community colleges. How about by reforming Prop 13?
I owe my successful transfer to UC Berkeley to the financial aid and institutional support I received from my community college. It’s alarming to see these opportunities slipping away from so many students due to the state’s restrictive funding policies.
Tying community college funding to strict metrics, such as enrolling enough low-income students, doesn’t make sense. The declining enrollment rate of low-income students should be seen as a call for increased investment, not an excuse to cut funding for a campus.
Reducing financial support for colleges with fewer low-income students creates a vicious cycle that discourages people from enrolling, especially in high-cost regions like the Bay Area, where affording basic necessities is already a challenge.
If this continues, fewer low-income students will have access to higher education.
California must prioritize funding for community colleges. A critical step toward achieving this goal is reforming Proposition 13. The outdated tax policy has deprived public education of crucial revenue for decades.
Prop 13 reform could generate an estimated $12 billion, part of which could be allocated to community colleges.
Investing in community colleges is an investment in California’s future. It’s time to take action.
Jessica Christian / The Chronicle
Letters: State needs a way to fund community colleges. How about by reforming Prop 13?
By Morsal Azimi | SF Chronicle | February 23rd, 2025