Final state budget agreement makes key investments to strengthen under-enrolled universities like Sonoma State and Cal Maritime

SACRAMENTO – The budget agreement between the Legislature and governor for fiscal 2025-26 commits to maintaining and building on the quality of higher education in California and in Senate District 3, said Senator Christopher Cabaldon, D-Yolo, who has spent his career as a higher education leader, policy expert, and professor.

Not only does the final budget deal reverse the 8 percent cut to the UC and CSU systems originally proposed by the governor in January, it makes a $45-million direct allocation to Sonoma State University, which had cut majors, staff, and all NCAA athletics in the face of a $25-million budget shortfall. The infusion of state funding will allow the school to stabilize its finances, restore some cuts, and plan for the future. The funding will also be used to build up in-demand majors like nursing and data science. Read more here.

The budget agreement also provides $5 million to the California State   University system to assist under-enrolled campuses such as Sonoma State and Cal Maritime Academy in Vallejo with outreach to potential students.

“These are extraordinary commitments given the difficult choices we     had to make in this budget, and I want to thank Gov. Newsom and       our legislative leaders for recognizing that investing in education is     critical to California’s economic and human future,” Sen. Cabaldon said. “I want to particularly thank the Sonoma State community and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, a Sonoma State alum, for fighting so hard to make sure the university not only survives but grows its student body and educational offerings. This budget provides Sonoma State the tools to do just that.”

Since joining the Legislature in December, Sen. Cabaldon has focused much of his attention on finding ways to get more California high school graduates to enroll in college and to boost enrollment at CSU campuses that have seen drops in attendance, including Sonoma State and Cal Maritime, both in Senate District 3. His SB 640, which passed the Senate and is now working its way through the Assembly, would offer every qualified high school senior in the state admission to a list of under-enrolled CSUs, no application needed.

# # #

Senator Christopher Cabaldon represents the 3rd Senate District which includes the cities of Oakley and Brentwood in Contra Costa County; American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, Yountville, and St. Helena in Napa County; Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo, in Solano County; Cotati, Rohnert Park, and Sonoma in Sonoma County; Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland in Yolo County; as well as Isleton in Sacramento County.