SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris issued the following statement today about Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed 2014-15 budget:

“After years of budget cuts forced us to turn away hundreds of thousands of students, Gov. Brown’s proposal is welcome news for California and for the economy. With an 11.4 percent increase in funding we are now on the way to adding back the much needed classes that will restore our system’s ability to provide educational opportunities for those seeking to improve their lives at community colleges. The proposed budget also is in lockstep with our Board of Governors’ Student Success Initiative, which aims to increase the number of students who complete certificates, degrees or transfer to four-year institutions. It provides resources to strengthen support services for students and help close achievement gaps. We embrace the governor’s call to continue to improve and streamline transfer opportunities across all segments of higher education. Simply put, this proposed budget does more to help community college students than any in recent memory.”