Community College Funding

Since June 15, 2007 Texas community college funding has been a difficult issue our legistlative leaders are constantly having to deal with. The cause: a $650 million veto by Gov. Rick Perry. Community colleges were expecting $154 million of that. There has been some question towards the "tone" Perry has towards the community colleges and their way of budgeting. Both disagree how the health insurance money should be split amongst the taxpayers and students. Perry has stated how community colleges were falsifying their appropriations requests to get the money. I read in another Austin American Statesman article that Rey Garcia, president of the Texas Association of Community Colleges, which represents 50 community college districts, responded, "We were blindsided. Accusing community colleges of falsifying appropriations requests is an irresponsible statement to which we take strong exception." There are many suggestions coming from all directions on how to get the money to the colleges. Yet, it's difficult to get around considering all unspent money, including the $154 million, is off limits until 2009. Austin Community College has increased student fees by $2 and cut $2.9 million from its budget. I feel this is significant in regards to every student attending a community college, because as little as a $2 increase is, it is a big issue on where our government is leading us. Who knows how much more it will cost us next time around.


http://www.statesman.com/search/content/region/legislature/stories/08/15/0815commcollege.html