A senate bill was acted upon on May 1, State Senate members all voted to move it along for a future hearing.

The bill, SB 705, allocates $50 million directly to community college’s student programs. Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) and Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS) will be receiving even amounts of these funds.

Author of SB 705, State Senator Marty Block spoke at the hearing.

“DSPS and EOPS are not just any programs for the students served by them,” Block said. “These programs are the difference between passing and failing, between graduating and dropping out.”

Block also explained how SB 705 will gain the funds to keep these programs going. The bill proposes to lengthen the Governor’s 5-year loan-deferral plan for California Community Colleges to 7 years. This will free up the money needed to replenish these student services.

The decision made was to pass the bill and bring it to the Committee of Appropriations who have a hearing set for May 13.