SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblymember Roger Hernandez (D-San Gabriel Valley) introduced a new bill, Assembly Bill 1561, aimed at preventing California State University and University of California executive compensation increases from being funded by state funds or student fee revenues.  The bill also caps the maximum salary level for California State University presidents and University of California chancellors.

“Increasing executive salaries while increasing student fees, and doing so on the backs of struggling students who are already experiencing fewer available classes, larger class sizes, and less financial aid is unacceptable.  It is a poor way of using limited monetary resources,” said Hernández.  “This bill assures that CSU and UC executives do not reap benefits at the expense of state taxpayers and students.”

Under current law, the CSU system is one of the segments of public postsecondary education within the administration of the Trustees of the California State University. The UC system is under the shared governance of the Board of Regents, the Office of the President, and the Academic Senate. Existing law is silent on the issue of executive compensation at the CSU’s and UC’s.

“At a time in which both the CSU and UC systems are simultaneously experiencing budget cuts and student fee increases, it does not make fiscal sense to have high-level executives be paid exorbitant compensation increases,” added Hernández.  “As state lawmakers, we need to prioritize our use of limited state resources and ensure they most equitably reflect California’s priorities.”

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: Mary June Flores, 916-319-2057