Tuition increases are so common in California's public higher-education system that they seem to be almost a force of nature. Now, again, it's CSU's turn: The university has proposed a 12 percent hike.
From the Chronicle's Nanette Asimov: "California State University Chancellor Charles Reed will ask trustees next week to raise tuition by 12 percent, or $588 a year, to help offset a cut in state funding of at least $650 million."
"The new prices would take affect immediately for the fall semester, the university reported."
"Tuition is already set to rise by 10 percent this fall, a decision trustees made last November."
"If approved, the new annual tuition for undergraduates would grow to $5,470. In addition, mandatory campus fees are $950 and could also grow. The total price would be at least $6,420."
CSU campuses also top a national list of colleges with the fastest-growing tuition. Erica Perez in California Watch reports.
"All but one of the California State University campuses are on a new list produced by the U.S. Department of Education showing colleges with the fastest-rising tuition and fees – and those campuses will have to submit reports to the federal government explaining the rapid increase."
"A set of 54 new lists released last week by the Department of Education shows which colleges have the highest and lowest tuition and "average net price" – the average price paid by full-time students after figuring in grants and scholarships. The lists also show which colleges have the fastest-rising tuition and net price."
"Colleges where prices are rising at the fastest rate will be required to report why costs have gone up and what the institution will do to address them."
Gov. Brown has a hotly controversial bill on his desk that would require California textbooks to include the perspectives of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders. Many expect Brown to sign the bill but, as everything with Brown, suprises are common. The LA Times' Patrick McGreevy tells the tale.
"The measure sparked a spirited debate, including personal pleas from two openly gay lawmakers — Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco). They said the bill would reduce the bullying of gay students and correct an oversight by history books."
"I don't want to be invisible in a textbook,"
Ammiano told his colleagues."
"Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of San Bernardino was one of several Republicans who spoke against the measure,
which he argued was promoting a "homosexual agenda" that many of his
constituents do not support."
Hundreds of California state workers were making six-figure salaries that far exceeded their base pay, according to data provided by state Controller John Chiang.
From the Chronicle's Marisa Lagos: "As California's elected leaders took drastic steps to cut spending last year, the state was paying hundreds of its workers six-figure earnings that far exceeded base salaries, according to newly released compensation data for public employees."
"The data, compiled by state Controller John Chiang, show that more than 500 state employees made more than $240,000 before taxes in 2010. The controller listed last year's pay for all 256,222 state workers on his website, but did not include their names."
"At least nine state workers made more than $500,000 last year - most of them prison doctors and other medical staff. The top 10 earners, combined, collected more than $5.8 million in 2010."
And from our "Bout How 'Bout hose Crazy Tax Collectors?" file we find the story of the revenuer who liked to get spanked. Really.
"A tax collector who pleaded guilty to raiding town coffers of nearly $800,000 and using some of the money to pay a dominatrix is due to be sentenced on Wednesday."
"In May, suspended Secaucus, NJ, tax collector Alan Bartolozzi pleaded guilty to two counts of theft. He faces up to 15 years in prison, the New Jersey Journal reported, adding that he was to be sentenced last week but his lawyer became ill."
"Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez said Bartolozzi, a Secaucus city employee for the past 25 years, stole about $750,000 in tax funds between February 2008 to May 2009. He also stole about $25,000 from the local municipal union, according to prosecutors."