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California spends about $47,000 per inmate in state prisons, while spending less than $8,000 per California State University student. Yet, the CSU is slated for a $500 million cut next year — an approximately $20 million cut for Fresno State. In the meantime, prison spending is proposed to remain essentially flat.

~ Charles B. Reed, CSU Chancellor

Chancellor Reed also says that universities and prisons have a direct think to crime-prevention. When comparing high school graduates to bachelor’s degree holders Reed says that college graduates are 92% less likely to be incarcerated. In specific numbers that translates to a national incarceration rate of high school graduates of 12% per 1,000 while those those students with a bachelor’s degrees have a much, much lower rate of 1% per 1,000.

In related news the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is telling school districts to plan for the worst in regards to the coming budget.  The Superintendent has plans to tally the impacts on California schools if the state's temporary taxes expire July 1.

"Californians cherish their schools.  Before we miss the chance to help our state's 6.2 million schoolchildren weather this financial emergency, people have a right to know the consequences."

~ Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Mr. Torlakson sent a letter to county school superintendents noting that the State and its schools are running out of time to place a tax extension before voters.  Torlakson warned that without an extension, an "all-cuts" budget could force the state to cut school spending by as much as $4.5 billion or 10 percent of the K-12 annual budget. He urged officials to assess the impacts now.