Torrico urges community college students to fight for higher education funding at Capitol rally
California Political Desk
March 25, 2010
SACRAMENTO – Speaking in front of over a thousand community college and university students from around the state, Assemblymember Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) urged them to register their support for his Fair Share for Fair Tuition bill that would raise about $2 billion for higher education, including $500 million for California´s struggling community colleges.Torrico made his remarks during a boisterous rally on the north steps of the state Capitol Monday morning. Students arrived in Sacramento by the busloads to express their frustration with budget cuts and rising fees that are jeopardizing the future of California higher education.
"Access to an affordable higher education that has long been the foundation for California´s economic success is being stripped away by the status quo of nonstop budget cuts and higher student fees," Torrico said. "Students are paying more to get less. Dropped courses and reduced access to classes make it increasingly difficult for students out of high school to pursue a higher education. It also prevents those who are unemployed and looking to learn a new trade or to sharpen their career skills, from getting into the classrooms."
To put an end to the funding shortages the community colleges, California State University and University of California systems are suffering, Torrico is carrying Assembly Bill 656, the Fair Share for Fair Tuition bill. It would place an oil and