HomeMy WebLinkAboutPrevent Cuts to the CSU and its Universities - Letter of SUPPORTCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249,
805.781.7114, slocity.org
April 14, 2025
The Honorable Gavin Newsom The Honorable Mike McGuire
Governor President pro Tempore of the Senate
1021 O Street, Suite 9000 1021 O Street, Suite 8518
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Robert Rivas
Speaker of the Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 8330
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Prevent Cuts to the California State University System (CSU) and its Universities
Dear Governor Newsom, Pro Tem McGuire and Speaker Rivas,
The City of San Luis Obispo respectfully requests that state funding for the CSU system not
be cut by $375 million and that the financial commitments outlined in the Multi-Year
Compact be upheld in the 2025–26 state budget.
We recognize the significant budgetary challenges facing the State of California. However,
reducing CSU funding would have serious consequences for the state’s economy and for
thousands of students striving to graduate on time and enter the workforce. The CSU
system—and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in particular—plays a vital role in workforce
development, civic engagement, and regional innovation.
As noted in the City’s 2023 Economic Development Strategic Plan, Cal Poly has a profound
and positive impact on our community. It is the region’s largest economic driver, contributing
over $2.6 billion annually to the Central Coast economy and supporting more than 15,000
local jobs. Cal Poly students, faculty, and alumni enrich our civic life, engage in public service,
and bring valuable expertise to key city initiatives in housing, sustainability, transportation,
and economic development. Our ongoing collaboration with the university is essential to
advancing shared priorities and supporting a thriving, resilient community.
Fully funding the CSU will allow the system to continue its progress on increasing graduation
rates, expanding access to higher education, and ensuring fair pay for its employees. With
over 125,000 graduates annually and 12 campuses ranked among the top 25 in the Wall
Street Journal’s 2025 Social Mobility Ranking, CSU is one of California’s most effective levers
for advancing opportunity and equity.
The CSU is also vital to preparing the workforce we need for the future. Its innovative
academic programs and new enrollment pathways are aligned with the needs of California’s
employers including many in San Luis Obispo’s growing industries like clean tech,
engineering, and sustainable agriculture. Cutting the CSU’s budget risks slowing this
progress, limiting access for students, and weakening our ability to compete as a region and
state.
We are particularly concerned about the disconnect between the state’s push to expand
enrollment and improve access to higher education, and the proposed reduction in funding
to the very system tasked with meeting that mandate. These conflicting directives put
additional strain on campuses like Cal Poly, which are expected to serve more students with
fewer resources.
We are deeply concerned that the proposed cut of $375 million will result in up to $30 million
in reductions per campus, harming students, delaying degrees, and reducing the quality of
education. We strongly urge you to reject this cut and make a full investment in the CSU
system as part of the 2025–26 state budget.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Please feel free to contact me should
you have any questions or need additional information.
Sincerely,
Erica A. Stewart
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
cc: Scott Wiener, Chair, Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review
Jesse Gabriel, Chair, Assembly Committee on Budget
John Laird, Chair, Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Subcommittee #1
David Alvarez, Chair, Assembly Committee on Budget, Subcommittee #3
Dawn Addis, Assemblymember, 30th District