Faced with lower state revenue projections, the state Legislature’s Ways and Means Subcommittee on Education was forced to not grant state community colleges an additional $45 million they had sought for enrollment growth.
This is just one example how the state’s March revenue estimate, which came in $108 million less than expected, is causing turmoil in Salem, as legislators wrangle over where the scant fiscal resources can be allocated. If May’s revenue projections come in lower than the March projections, the situation will become even more dire, and any budget cuts are likely to be deeper.
Rep. Robert Ackerman, D-Eugene, who serves on the Lane County Community College Board, said he was not that disappointed with the subcommittee’s action because he knew it wasn’t specifically directed at community colleges. He said it was just a sign of the bleak budget times, which he expected will make things even more difficult.
Rep. Tootie Smith, R-Molalla, said not passing the budget was not easy.
“It was one of the most painful things I’ve had to do,” she said.
Smith said she is a big supporter of community colleges, and she would work hard to find the funding.
“I’m not going to make any promises, but it is one of my priorities,” she said.
Community colleges had received the $45 million for enrollment growth in the original budget proposed by Gov. John Kitzhaber, but because of the revenue estimates, it does not appear likely that there will be additional funding available for community colleges.
Sen. Cliff Trow, D-Corvallis, said the committee decided not to approve the budget based on the advice of the Ways and Means Committee co-chair, Sen. Len Hannon, R-Ashland, and the Legislative Fiscal Office.
He said there still could be funds available in other budgets that could be allocated for community colleges, and added that the allocation won’t come at the expense of other education budgets. Trow said there could still be room for both four-year institutions and community colleges to receive more funds.
“I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive,” he said.
Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, served on the Emergency Request board when community colleges came before it last year to ask for additional funding for increased enrollment. He said it is an unusual situation in that community college enrollment has continued to outpace expectations. He said he would be “going through the budget with a fine-tooth comb” to secure the $45 million for community colleges.
If those funds do become available, Schrader said community colleges have priority in having them added to their budget.