(Sacramento, CA) - Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D – San Gabriel Valley) introduced legislation that would prevent the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems from boosting executive administrative pay on the backs of taxpayers and students.  AB 39 x1 would prohibit state funds or student fees to be used for executive compensation increases during a period of budget cuts or student fee increases, and would cap CSU presidents' and UC chancellors' pay at $300,000 and $326,000 respectively. 

"As we all saw earlier this year, the partisan atmosphere of Sacramento forced us to make deep and devastating budget cuts to the higher education system that disproportionately impacted low-income and middle-class students," said Assemblymember Hernández.  "As a former community college professor, I've seen firsthand how budget cuts can negatively impact a student's potential in the learning environment. We heard the students and the faculty passionately making their case during the budget debates, so the recent news of university executives receiving pay increases after the fact was a slap in the face to students and their families."

This year alone, California has cut $1.4 billion from its higher education system, which is facing an additional $200 million in further cuts this December if the State does not reach its projected revenue. 

Since 2007, fees for CSU students have increased 84 percent as $1.4 billion have been cut from the CSU system's budget, including $650 million cut this year.  At the same time, the CSU regents approved nearly $100,000 in compensation increases for San Diego State University president Elliot Hirshman, $350,000 of which will be paid for by state funds.  Existing salaries for CSU presidents that exceed the proposed $300,000 cap will not be subject to this new requirement. 

In addition, The San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that the UC will spend $140 million of increased student fees, general fund money and other UC sources to give merit pay raises to thousands of its employees. 

Assemblymember Hernández proudly serves the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, City of Industry, Covina, Irwindale, La Puente, West Covina and the unincorporated communities of: Avocado Heights, Bassett, Charter Oak, Citrus, East Arcadia, Hacienda Heights, North Whittier, Ramona, Valinda and Vincent.

Contact: Yong Eo, (916) 319-2057 (o)