Editorials

SACRAMENTO – Thousands of college students throughout California began classes this week without the financial help they had been promised by the state, and one South Bay legislator has seized on the issue.  

State Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara, and 41 of her colleagues sent a letter Monday to Assembly Republican Caucus Leader Dave Cox urging for a quick passage of the budget in light of the Cal Grant holdup. 

In the letter, 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,” Alquist wrote. 

“(Monday was) 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 the State Budget Act still unsigned eight weeks after the deadline, Alquist said the Student Aid Commission has been unable to transmit funding for University of California, California State University, California Community College or private university grants. 

Other local Assembly members who signed Alquist's letter include Rebecca Cohn, D-Saratoga, Ellen Corbett D-San Leandro, John Dutra, D-Fremont, Barbara Matthews, D-Stockton, Joe Nation, D-San Rafael, Lou Papan, D-Millbrae, Simon Salinas, D-Salinas, and Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.