Published: August 21, 2002
Assembly Democrats Focus on Cal Grants In Attempt to Move Republicans on Budget
SACRAMENTO - Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist (D- Santa Clara), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Higher Education today sent a letter to Assembly Republican Caucus Leader Dave Cox urging the swift passage of the budget in light of Cal Grant holdup.
In the letter, which was signed by 41 members of the Assembly, Alquist cited the need to disperse Cal Grants as a reason for the Republican members to take a fresh look at the proposed budget.
"This past week we have learned that nearly 200,000 college students will not be provided their Cal Grant awards due to the Assembly Republican Caucus' unwillingness to vote for the State Budget" the letter by Assemblywoman Alquist stated.
According to Assemblywoman Alquist, "today is the first day of classes for 46 community colleges, and over 35,000 community college students will be facing the new semester without the aid we have promised them. With Republicans holding up the budget we will be forcing many of these students to drop out of school."
The State Budget Act is more than eight weeks overdue. As a result the Student Aid Commission has been unable to transmit funding for University of California, California State University, California Community College or private university grants. In total, 200,000 students will face a lack of financial aid because of this failure to pass a state budget on time.
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