More funding for community colleges? Lower student fees? Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Fresno City College students think so.

"If the fees were lower, it would make it easier to pay for school and faster to get done because when you can't afford the classes, it's harder to get finished," said Rihaun Carrell, who’s studying interior design at the Valley community college.

"I could afford more classes instead of working hard full time and taking classes full time here," agreed first year student Francisco Manchu.

But some of the groups that oppose Prop. 92 might surprise you. The list includes the California Teachers Association, the California State University and University of California systems, as well as California Professional Firefighters.

Opponents say Prop. 92 would “amend the state's constitution to lock in a new spending mandate - with no way to pay for it.”

The California Legislative Analyst's Office estimates the increased spending will reach nearly $3 billion in the first three years.

"I believe community colleges should receive additional resources to do their job, but this is not a good time to be making changes given the state's fiscal condition," said State Assembly Member Juan Arambula, speaking about the state's current $14.5 billion dollar deficit.

Opponents worry that if Prop. 92 passes, lawmakers would be left to decide how to fund it. They say this could mean raised taxes or cuts in other programs like health care, public safety and education in K through 12.

"It's about access," said Zwi Reznik. The Fresno City College professor also acts as a spokesperson for the California Federation of Teachers, which supports Prop. 92.

Supporters say Prop. 92 lowers student fees from $20 to $15 a unit. They also argue it would limit future fee increases and provide stable funding for community colleges.

"We're the largest of the higher education segments. We have more students yet we're the worst compensated in terms of support we get. It's half of what CSU gets and a third of what UC gets so we want to be able to continue serving those we're here to serve," said Reznik.

Another provision in the measure would grant community colleges more money when the state unemployment rate exceeds five percent. During an economic downturn, Reznik says enrollment at community colleges soars.

"One of the things we recognize is [this is when] we get the greatest demand for services."

He adds, "Someone who works a minimum wage job and they want to go back to school to be a welder or a firefighter, data shows they can double their income just three years after receiving their associate's degree. That's exactly where the funding [for Prop. 92] will come from. We're growing the economy."

Meanwhile, opponents argue it doesn’t make sense to spend millions to roll back community college fees that are already the lowest in the nation and then ask taxpayers to pay more or cut funding for other needs, which they say will be inevitable.

Educators do agree, though, that something needs to be done. In the city of Fresno, for example, only one of out five adults is college educated.

Despite the debate, the students hanging out on the Fresno City College campus want one thing: more money in their pockets.

"School is expensive as it is already. City college is already expensive so if I transfer to a state college, it is going to be impossible to pay for it so if they can lower anything, I'm all for that," said Carrell.

To learn more about Proposition 92:

Prop. 92 on the CA Presidential Primary Election ballot

www.noprop92.org

www.prop92yes.com

Click on the video link to watch Catherine Mylinh’s report.