Perry cuts college spending

Governor Perry's summer veto of $154 million in state community college spending, primarily designated for employee health benefits, has startled students and faculty returning for the fall semester.

Administrators at Austin Community College, faced with a total cut of $7.6 million in state appropriations for the college's next two budget cycles, reluctantly approved an increase in general student fees by $2 per credit hour for the 2008 fiscal year in July.

The college raised out-of-district tuition by $8 per credit hour, and out-of-state tuition by $24 per credit hour. The veto also cost ACC funding for new campuses, resulting in a loss of nearly $400,000 for the South Austin Campus.

Gov. Perry reasoned that the responsibility to fund faculty benefits should rest with the local community and that community colleges should split the funds historically provided by the state. Both the state and local communities have shared the burden of funding community colleges, with the local taxes going towards maintenance and operations and state funds providing education and administration.

ACC officials claimed that reducing state funds will be counterproductive to the college's mission, citing the increase of tuition and property taxes necessitated by the reduced funding as well as the economic fallout resulting from the subsequent decline in enrollment.

"Regardless of the political rhetoric about employee benefits and formula funding, it's bad public policy to underfund community colleges," said the ACC Board of Trustees in a response.

ACC is encouraging individuals to communicate with legislators and community leaders about community colleges, but has insisted that the school is not trying to "spar with the Governor".

The college seeks to "work with [the Governor] to formulate a more cohesive public policy related to higher education, but we expect to be treated as equals in the higher education system and to be recognized…in expanding economic development efforts in Texas," said the Board.

Perry has called for the restoration of funds, along with legislators and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, but it is unclear what form it would take.

In a July 27 letter to Speaker Tom Craddick, Rep. Jim Dunnam wrote, "In its practical effect the veto is the equivalent of a tax increase on hard-working Texans who are striving to build better lives by obtaining a community or junior college education."

Craddick responded by saying that he is working with the governor to develop practical solutions such as transferring funds between appropriation items, although this will not be possible until the next legislative session in 2009 unless the issue is brought to the Legislative Budget Board. However, the Board does not have the authority to restore the funds for this purpose, according to Craddick.

Another concern among educators is grounded in the discrepancy between state higher education enrollment and funding.

In 1999, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 44 percent of Texas students enrolled in higher education were at community and technical colleges, with 60 percent of expected growth by 2015 taking place in these schools. However, according to the state Legislative Budget Board, only 11.5 percent of last year's higher education funding was set apart for community colleges.

"We do agree with the governor on one point," said administrators in the response. "The process of funding higher education is 'seriously flawed.' Texas community colleges have a history of being grossly underfunded."

During the Aug. 23 special session of the Board of Trustees, before approval of the college's resolution, Chairman John Hernandez said, "It seems that a lot of momentum was lost because most people have assumed that it has all been given back and it's not an issue."

ACC President Kinslow responded, "All of the efforts that have been made to bring us to this point are continuing and that's not just our college but statewide...until we have the check for the fu ll 7.2 million dollars," he said, referring to the funds specifically appropriated for employee benefits.

Student Government Organization communications director Brad Burnett approved of the college's "sensible" raise in tuition, directing any anger towards the Governor.

"The ACC Board of Trustees did an admirable job in trying to reconcile the budget shortfall due to this veto," said Burnett. "Mr. Perry's veto of this crucial funding makes it clear that education, contrary to his previous remarks, is not a priority to him."

Ivan Doyle, the vice president of student government, said, "While passing the cost to students is unfortunate … it is an acceptable increase and any anger resulting from the decision should be directed towards the capitol."

John Bridges, an adjunct professor of government at ACC has been following the developments.

"No one Republican or Democrat expected the veto," he said. "I don't think anyone has any clue. People in government and community colleges like ACC are left without a clue when the bill had overwhelming support among his own party."

Bridges said that due to numerous factors such as an anti-intellectual strain in Texas politics and the fact that teachers in public schools belong to many interest groups, they have not proven to be reliable political allies.

"The state says a lot of pretty words about higher education and how community colleges are the 'backbone of higher education' … but I don't think anyone has any clue," he said. "There is no explanation forthcoming. One could only imagine what is going on in the governor's mind."