Capitol Alert: AM Alert: California State University considers its own era of limits

Capitol Alert

The latest on California politics and government

May 8, 2012

AM Alert: California State University considers its own era of limits

VIDEO: Dan Walters, in today's video report , says lawmakers are moving to the middle.

Should California State University close one or more campuses? Should CSU consider privatizing a university?

These are just two of the questions that CSU trustees will consider today when they meet in Long Beach. The finance committee session is intended to be informational, and perhaps a bit provocative, as CSU leaders evaluate ways to confront an era of state budget cuts.

CSU officials have already offered more modest suggestions should the system face a $200 million trigger cut that Gov. Jerry Brown proposed if voters reject his tax initiative. Those include eliminating sports and athletics, delaying the purchase of library materials, downsizing administration and minimizing travel.

But trustees want to consider the gamut of long-term changes, said CSU spokeswoman Claudia Keith. Those range from phasing out less popular academic areas to charging higher rates for cost-intensive programs and seeking ways to privatize.

"Some of these are obviously more feasible than others," Keith said.

PARKS: Democratic Sens. Noreen Evans and Joe Simitian hold a conference call at 11 to unveil an idea for saving 50 state parks scheduled to close.

CHP MEMORIAL: Memorial week continues with the annual ceremony honoring fallen CHP officers. Gov. Jerry Brown will attend the 9:30 memorial at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento.

LEGISLATURE: Both houses have a fairly heavy schedule of committee hearings today. Check out the Senate file here, and the Assembly line-up here.

CAKE AND CANDLES: Send state Treasurer Bill Lockyer a funny card for his 71st birthday today. He could use a laugh.

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