SACRAMENTO -- College student Eduardo Aguilar is both worried and furious about the possibility of losing financial aid from the government for his higher education.
Aguilar, an engineering student at the University of California at Davis, says the government's proposal of cutting down on education funds will only make matters worse for the state economy, already plunged in a national recession.
"I simply don't get it," said Aguilar, 20. "How can the government say it'll reduce millions of dollars on education when the economic future of the country depends on it. Better education means better development."
Aguilar joined around 1,000 students that rallied last week in front of the Capitol to call on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to abandon his education cuts proposal.
"If those cuts happen, me and thousands of other students around the state could no longer continue our education; that would be a disaster for the local economy. But it seems the governor can't get that," said Aguilar, while shouting out against the governor's proposal along with his college mates.
The protest began at Raley Field, a mile south of the Capitol, and was led by California Vice Governor John Garamendi and Assembly State Speaker Fabián Núñez, who along with other political figures, students, teachers and principals, demanded the no-application of those cuts.
Schwarzenegger has said that his intention is to reduce almost $1 billion on education due to the state budget deficit crisis.
The governor is proposing to cut up to $386 million for the California State University system alone.
Besides education, the governor's proposal calls for cutting funds on health, social assistance and government programs for low-income people. In all, the state faces a deficit of about $8 billion.
Garamendi, who was the first to join the students, said the protest reminded him of the struggle spirit of the '60s.
"You all are here because you have a clear message for the Legislature: 'Throw us out of here, and we'll vote you out of here," Garamendi said.
He added that if the state does not have the best job market worldwide, then the California economy will not work and will crumble.
"Investing in education and in students, it's the best way to keep the economy strong," said Garamendi.
During the speeches, some protesters wrote slogans like "educate, not incarcerate" and "no hate, educate" on the pavement.
Students also displayed dozens of plastic mannequins signifying the students who were not admitted this year in college because of the budget cuts.
Don Peralta (D-Oakland) pointed out that education cuts would damage state schools and education and that he will fight the proposal.
"We're here to defend the right to education and we won't allow that California becomes a second-rate state. We have to fight for our future," Peralta said.
District seek cuts feedback
In the evening of the protest, SCUSD members held a meeting with teachers, principals and parents in order to hear their concerns about the cuts.
They offered recommendations ranging from a more active role of students on the decision-making process on the funds cut to how students would be affected after the termination of a great number of teachers, which is included in the governor's plan.
Gerardo Castillo, a board member and a member of the SCUSD Budget Services, said the current situation is already very hard for school districts in the state, and that those cuts would make matters worse.
"If they are planning these cuts, we want them (the cuts) to be planned out the farthest from the students so they wouldn't be affected. Before doing any kind of cuts, they should think first of the students, but it seems this is not to be the case," Castillo said.
Miguel Navarrete, another board member, praised the turnout of 250 people and concluded that the problem is state officials have not come up with a thoroughly thought-out plan.
"Before making any cuts, (officials) should inquire, investigate how children will be affected and not only say they're going to cut funds. This is a very critical situation that could harm everybody in general," Navarrete said.
According to the board, during the 2007-08 school year, SCUSD received $5,785 per student as opposed to the $13,623 that cities like New York receive for each student.