Lawmaker Proposes New CSU Campus In Stockton

A lawmaker from Stockton is proposing the first steps in a process that could locate the next California State University campus there.

A bill has been introduced in the legislature that would order a study of the possibility.

Stockton is the largest city in California without a public university nearby.

So Democratic Assemblywoman Susan Eggman has authored a bill that would have the state study the feasibility of a CSU Stockton in the future.

Eggman's legislative assistant Christian Burkin says it will be needed for a growing population.

"State projections for growth indicate that the region is going to be the fastest growing county in the Central Valley up until about 2050, expected to add about 900,000 residents in that period."

Stockton Chamber of Commerce Director Doug Wilhoit says an educated workforce will mean better paying jobs.

"This would be great and an educated workforce as the economy comes back would be at the right time and come at the right place."

Burkin says a CSU Stockton campus is still years in the future, and the feasibility study itself could take a couple of years.