Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Newsom’s New Budget Proposal Nixes More Money For Middle Class Scholarship
Amid a time of financial uncertainty, the governor’s proposed budget largely maintains the state’s investments in financial aid.
(
Justin Sullivan
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Despite a projected $37.9-billion deficit, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2024-25 spending plan includes a slight bump for higher ed, including $2.5 billion for the Cal Grant and $636.2 million for the Middle Class Scholarship. The governor has, however, decided to forgo a planned one-time investment of $289 million to increase the Middle Class Scholarship.
What does that mean? The Middle Class Scholarship is for families that earn a little over $200,000 a year. It's part of wider efforts to keep students from taking out loans to earn a bachelor’s degree. It provides undergrads and students pursuing a teaching credential with funding to attend a UC, CSU, or community college.
Why now: Weaker-than-expected state revenues and delayed tax deadlines due to natural disasters have contributed to the budget shortfall.
Support for LAist comes from
What's next: The governor’s proposal is just a starting point. A final budget compromise with the legislature is expected this summer.
See it for yourself: 2024-25 Higher Education Budget Summary
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist