Many of you know I am a proud graduate of California's stellar community college system. Being raised by a single working mother, money for university tuition simply wasn't available to me, so I enrolled at the College of the Canyons – an excellent community college in my hometown of Santa Clarita.
This is the same college my mother attended when she was putting herself through nursing school to support our family. Community college saved our family and launched my career in public service; I would not be where I am without it.
That's why I support Gov. Newsom's efforts to expand funding for California's community colleges like the College of the Canyons. A high-quality education should be available to any and all who want one.
While California's colleges are also some of the most affordable, at $138 per 3-credit course, textbooks are often more than the cost of tuition and prohibitive for many students.
No student should ever have to make the decision between buying groceries or buying their educational materials. I applaud Gov. Newsom's 2022-2023 budget that allocates historic funding for our community colleges and reigning in textbook costs so every student has the opportunity to build the career of their dreams.
The opportunity to pursue a fulfilling career should not be a privilege reserved only for those who can afford it. Whether you want to become an architect or a graphic designer, a teacher, an electrician, or even run for public office, community college is the place to make it happen – no matter what income bracket you're in.
