June 30, 2026
Contact: Melissa Villarin
Office: 916-327-5365
Office E-mail: MVillarin@CCCCO.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian today issued the following statement on the budget agreement reached by legislative leaders and Gov. Gavin Newsom:
“The 2026-27 State Budget reflects California's continued commitment to the transformative role of its community colleges by expanding educational opportunity, strengthening our workforce, and investing in student success.
"This budget advances Vision 2030 by strengthening the long-term foundation of our colleges while continuing strategic investments that expand opportunity for Californians. Funding for enrollment growth, the Student Centered Funding Formula, Credit for Prior Learning, the Common Cloud Data Platform, deferred maintenance, and the new California Early College Demonstration Initiative will help colleges continue preparing students for high-demand careers while building stronger pathways to economic mobility.
"Perhaps most importantly, the budget includes lasting improvements that provide greater stability for our colleges through the adoption of the higher of current-year enrollment or a three-year average for funding purposes, along with important enhancements to the Proposition 98 funding framework. These investments recognize that California community colleges are one of the state's most important engines for workforce development, innovation, and economic growth.
"We thank Gov. Newsom and the Legislature for their confidence in the California Community Colleges. Together, we are creating brighter futures for more than 2.2 million students while strengthening California's communities, workforce, and economy for generations to come."
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.2 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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