Copyright© 1999 by School Services of California, Inc.
Senate Education Committee Approves $7.5 Million
For EOPS And Puente Program
On August 18, 1999 the Senate Education Committee, with 11 Democrats voting Aye and 2 Republicans voting No, approved legislation that would appropriate $4.2 million in support of Educational Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and $3.366 million for the Puente student outreach programs. The bill AB 1376 is being carried by Assembly Member Sarah Reyes (D-Fresno).
EOPS and Puente students receive essential supplemental support services and financial assistance to fulfill their educational goals. The EOPS program has existed since 1969, and the Puente program has been funded through the community colleges for ten years. In recent years, the funding for these programs has not kept pace with student growth and need.
The legislature augmented the 1999-00 community college budget to provide additional funds for these programs. However, Governor Davis vetoed these additional funds (in slightly different amounts) in his 1999 State Budget. The Governor's veto message read:
"I am deleting legislative augmentations totaling $8,360,000 in schedules (f) and )h) for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services ($5,000,000) and the Puente Program ($3,360,000), respectively. Partnership for Excellence funding has already been augmented by $45 million in this budget, which provides resources for all districts to initiate and expand these successful categorical programs or any others which increase student outcomes at their discretion."
The supporters of AB 1376 indicated to Senate Education Committee members that they have spoken with representatives of the Governor's office and believe there is some hope for this measure. They believe that the Governor's veto was based on a lack of information about the programs. Additional information has been provided to the Secretary of Education's office and supporters are hopeful that this urgency legislation will receive favorable consideration by the Governor. The bill must be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee by August 27 and on the Senate Floor by September 10 if it is to reach the Governor's desk.
Until the Governor sends a definite message regarding his position on AB 1376, its chances for passage are very slim. In effect, if the Legislature approves AB 1376 without the support of the Governor it is another way of attempting a "veto override." Most Governor's do not take "veto overrides" kindly, and the bill would likely suffer the same fate as the appropriation that was vetoed in the 1999 State Budget.
-- Arnold Bray