Caught between the dual pressures of reduced funding and increased demand, community colleges have had to make difficult decisions about the classes, services, and faculty they can retain. And they are likely to face further cuts in the 2011-12 budget.

This report summarizes the community college system's budget in the current year as well as the likely scenario for the upcoming year. It also explains how the college finance system works, including its sources of funding, how the funds are apportioned to the state's 72 college districts, and issues policymakers must consider.

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