Don't blame college administrators for tuition hikes. Blame Californians

Well, at least 52 percent of them, who, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, aren't willing to pay higher taxes so that funding can be maintained at current levels. Among likely voters, it's a 49-49 split. Most Democrats (63 percent) would pay higher taxes, while most Republicans (71 percent) would not. Here's the joke: Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed say public higher education in California is headed in the wrong direction. From the survey:

To maintain current funding for higher education, Californians favor admitting more out-of-state students who pay higher tuition, but support declines if that would mean fewer California admissions (20% yes, even if fewer in-state students, 32% yes, but not if fewer in-state students, 42% no). Support for out-of-state admissions at the expense of California admissions has declined slightly (26% 2010, 20% today).

As is common these days, people are talking passed one another. About 200 faculty and students are protesting near the main entrance of Cal State Dominguez Hills in response to a decision to withhold faculty raises negotiated for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. Chancellor Charles Reed has said the system can't afford to pay the raises because of budget cuts - and there's no reason to doubt him. (LAT)


More by Mark Lacter:
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Amazon keeps pushing for faster L.A. delivery
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Those awful infographics that promise to explain and only distort
Best to low-ball today's employment report
Further fallout from airport shootings
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Should Twitter be valued at $18 billion?
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Holiday shopping: On your marks, get set... spend!
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Uproar over health care sites could be settling down
BART strike to end Tuesday in the Bay Area

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Mark Lacter
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.
 
Mark Lacter, business writer and editor was 59
The multi-talented Mark Lacter
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