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Panel hears support, trade-offs for COLA on community college categorical programs
Summary
The governor proposes a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs totaling about $31.9 million; panelists urged expanding COLA coverage but LAO warned of trade-offs with enrollment growth funding.
The subcommittee considered the governor's proposal to apply a 2.43% COLA to a subset of categorical programs. Justin Hurst of the Department of Finance outlined the proposal: "the proposed increase is in the amount of 31,900,000 of ongoing proposition 98 general fund" for programs including the mandate block grant, DSPS, CalWORKs, EOPS, campus child care, apprenticeship-related rates, and adult education.
Lisa King of the Legislative Analyst's Office said the listed programs align with categories that historically receive COLA and called the administration's selection a reasonable starting point, while cautioning the Legislature about trade-offs: with limited Proposition 98 room, higher categorical COLA allocations may reduce funds available for enrollment growth.
Chris Ferguson of the Chancellor's Office expressed broad support for applying COLA to categorical programs, and urged consideration of adding more programs, including technology and cybersecurity investments that support student services and data security.
Witnesses emphasized the importance of categorical funding in preserving student services amid rising costs and regional disasters; committee members noted the need to balance categorical increases against other priorities such as apportionment growth.
