Letter on UC Merced Cutbacks
The Honorable Wes Chesbro
Chairman, Conference Committee on the Budget
4081 State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Chesbro:
I am very concerned about recent Conference Committee discussions to cut $20 million in planning funds for UC Merced.
If this cut in funding for UC Merced remains in the final budget agreement, all planning for opening of the campus in the fall of 2005 will stop. This is a terrible consequence that will only serve to punish the students. There is a critical need for additional higher education opportunities for students around the state and in California's Central Valley, which has historically been underserved by the UC system.
I urge you to restore the funds and encourage the Legislature and the Governor to reach agreement in the course of budget negotiations that will allow UC Merced to open as scheduled. Students who have a dream to pursue a UC education should not be denied this opportunity.
If you have further questions, please contact Teri Burns, Associate Superintendent for Governmental Affairs, at 916-319-0800.
Sincerely,
JACK O'CONNELL
JO:hm
cc: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Honorable John Burton
The Honorable Dede Alpert
The Honorable Dick Ackerman
The Honorable Jeff Denham
The Honorable Russ Johnson
The Honorable Fabian Núñez
The Honorable Judy Chu
The Honorable Rick Keene
The Honorable Barbara Matthews
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
The Honorable Darrell Steinberg
Secretary for Education Richard Riordan
Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill
1430 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814