From San Jose State University’s Daily Spartan:

In the middle of drastic state budget cuts, a proposal to tax oil companies in California to fund higher education has won support with some student and faculty organizations.

According to the text of the bill, a 9.9 percent tax would be placed on all oil and natural gas extracted in California.

The estimated $1 billion raised will be split among the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges systems, according to the bill.

At the very least, this is a smart move politically. When politicians try to defend oil companies, their words usually fall on deaf ears.

Our ideas can save democracy... But we need your help! Donate Now!

Jesse Singal is a former opinion writer for The Boston Globe and former web editor of the Washington Monthly. He is currently a master's student at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Policy. Follow him on Twitter at @jessesingal.