If approved, tax deal may have big impact

Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed temporary increase in taxes will have a major impact on PCC if they are approved by voters in November, officials said.

According to President Mark Rocha, if the extension of tax increases are approved, there will be no more cuts for K-14, which includes kindergarten, high school, and community colleges. If voters do not approve the tax increase, however, K-14 will sustain additional cuts which have already been identified.

"The cut to PCC will be about $10 million," Rocha said. "If these tax increases are passed, [PCC's budget] should be what it is about now."

Brown's budget, which proposes an increase in sales tax and also an increase in taxes for high income earners, received praise in a statement released by California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott.

"I want to thank Gov. Brown for recognizing the value of investing in higher education and the critical role community colleges play in powering the state's economy," Scott said. "His budget proposes a 4 percent annual funding increase to our system beginning in the 2012-13 academic year. This gives our 112 colleges the ability to plan for stable and predictable revenue growth and make budget decisions that benefit all students."

Rocha also supported the proposal. "Obviously, I do hope that voters approve the tax increase so that PCC's budget won't be cut any further," he said.

Though the Academic Senate has not taken a position on the proposal, Academic Senate President Edward Martinez personally opposed an increase in sales tax, but agreed with increasing taxes for high wage households.

"Sales tax have a greater negative impact on the poorest members of society," Martinez said. "I support an increase in state income tax for the wealthy. The wealthy are generally able to afford paying a greater share of their income. I would hope that a sense of patriotism and good will would motivate the wealthy to be willing to provide support for public education."

The state budget deficit has made an impact at PCC , most obviously with the decrease in class sections.

"Last year as a whole, we had 5,500 sections," Rocha said. "This year we have 5,300, but we're over-enrolled. We're not getting paid for those extra students. Next year, it's likely, under any circumstance really, that the sections will have to be reduced."

This year's winter intersession is prime example of those cuts, with only 271 sections offered, 81 fewer than last year. In addition, tuition will be increased to $46 per unit, effective with summer intersession.

As to whether more sections will be offered if the tax proposal is approved, Rocha said that the sections will most likely remain the same as this year.

"If you're a continuing student, make sure you get to your counselor earlier and make sure you get to financial aid early," Rocha said.  "As difficult as it is, the state budget is like a huge macro kind of situation. What I advise my students is to focus on the local, or their situation. If you see your counselor and financial aid, you can still get through."