Sen. Lowenthal Schedules April 12 "Town Hall" Style Community Meeting on Higher Education at CSULB, Says Majority of Meeting Will Be Devoted to Audience Q & A

"The Senator will devote the majority of the meeting time to taking questions from the audience. Members of the public attending the event are encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns and questions on any higher-education topic with the Senator," says a release from the Senator's office..

Sen. Lowenthal, a former CSULB Professor, chairs the Senate Education Committee where in late March, he joined a Committee majority in blocking a bill by state Sen. Leland Yee (D., SF) (Sen. Lowenthal remained silent while other Committee Dems voted "no") that would prevent the type of 10% pay raises for top CSU campus administrators recently approved by CSU's Board of Trustees...while voting "yes" on a bill by state Sen. Elaine Alquist (D., San Jose) that would permit pay raises of up 10% for high level CSU administrators.

For LBReport.com coverage (includes salient audio of the Senate Eduction Committee meeting), click here.

Prior to the Committee vote on the more restrictive Yee bill, Sen. Lowenthal said he was "extremely shocked" and "very surprised" at the CSU Trustees' action granting two incoming CSU campus presidents (administrators) 10% raises (for CSU Fullerton $324,500 and CSU East Bay $303,660, plus 60,000 a year for housing plus a $12,000 annual car allowance).

Sen. Lowenthal said he was "torn" on the Yee bill, considering it "too restrictive, [it] goes too far at this time." While noting that he wasn't supporting the Yee bill on that day's Committee vote, Sen. Lowenthal didn't rule out supporting it in the future if it advanced. The Committee granted the measure "reconsideration," meaning it can be re-heard, usually after the author agrees to amendments to gain the support of the Committee's majority (usually including the Committee chair). State Senate President Pro Tem Steinberg has separately indicated he wants the Alquist (more permissive) bill strengthened.

The Yee bill is opposed by the CSU and UC administrations. CSU Chancellor Charles Reed has indicated administrators are considering freezing enrollment for the spring semester and wait-listing all applicants for the fall semester unless CA voters approve a statewide tax increase in November.

April 12, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
State Sen. Alan Lowenthal community meeting on higher education
"Education on Tap" at The Nugget Pub & Grill
6300 E. State University Dr. in University Dining Plaza