Laney students protest cuts

There have been numerous actions today as a response to the attacks on public education in California and throughout the nation. I went to Laney College, a community college in Oakland on the east side of the San Francisco Bay and there was a spirited rally in the Quad outside the student center.  The clip above is from that event. After the rally the students and supporters marched to the college board's office to present demands.

California's governor Jerry Brown has proposed a $500 million cut in state support for the  California State University system, a $500 million cut for the University of California and a $400 million cut for community colleges. You can read more about Brown's attacks on workers and youth here.

Charles B Reed, Chancellor of the Cal State system says that the proposed $2.2 billion in state support is equivalent to 1999-2000 levels -- yet the system educates 70,000 more students each year than it did a decade ago.

Brown says he will openly enact a no-cuts budget.  As KQED put it:

• Brown wants an election on tax extensions, Republicans don't
• If he gets his tax extensions, "only" 12 billion in cuts will be enacted. If he doesn't, then roughly double those cuts to get to a balanced budget.
• His threat: He will only agree to whatever combination of cuts and taxes will make the numbers balance. He won't agree to finagle the books via much-maligned "gimmicks." 

So this is the choice for us from a Democrat that workers gave money to and help elect;  pay through taxes or pay through cuts.