On Monday, state Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) proposed a bill to prohibit top educational executives from receiving raises during a time when student fees have reached an all-time high.

According to Yee, fees for students have increased over 94 percent since 2002 for all California State University schools, while executives have received 23 percent in pay raises.

"As a graduate of both the UC and CSU, I want our higher education systems to succeed and be as accessible for California students," said Yee, from his office press release.

The bill, SB217, if passed, will affect all CSU, UC and community college schools. It will make it impossible for executives to receive any pay increases while student fees are on the rise.

"[Yee's] frustrated as a tax payer, knowing that [executives] are receiving pay hikes," said Adam Keigwin, chief of staff Yee, as he explained why the senator chose to propose the bill.

"[Yee] believes it's never appropriate to raise pay [for executives] when student fees are going up."

Yee also did not agree with the new California state budget signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this past weekend. The budget took $8.4 billion away from public education funds, leaving K-12 and higher education schools with less money than before.

"[Yee] did not support the budget cuts," said Keigwin, as he talked about why the senator wishes that colleges were seen as more of a priority

"It's disappointing for [Yee] to see the CSU resources taken away."