EdSource recently asked JFF Vice President Joel Vargas, among other leaders of California postsecondary institutions and policy and advocacy organizations, what he thought of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s postsecondary budget proposal.

Asked what is notable about Newsom’s budget proposal, Vargas replied, “There is a heartening emphasis on meeting students’ basic needs during this confluence of crises. Providing funds for food and housing, technology access, mental health resources and emergency financial assistance are critical to college success for historically underserved populations.”

Asked whether the California State Legislature should make changes to the governor’s proposal, he said, We “need investments to successfully transition away from 20th Century education delivery. . . . [We] cannot be lulled into a false sense that everything will be fine when things are ‘back to normal.’”