Thumbs Up: Obama unveils budget blueprint
In the next big step in the United States’ road to recovery, President Obama outlined the initial plan for the nation’s budget this coming fiscal year. The head of the Office of Management and Budget called it an “overview” maintaining that it would be a flexible program that they would adapt to include what works and drop what doesn’t. The plan includes most if not all of Obama’s campaign promises, including the removal of the corporate tax loopholes, and the allowed expiration of the Bush administration tax cuts. The plan represents a welcome change in the direction of American fiscal practice, and has serious potential to help the country get back on its feet.
Thumbs Down: Students working more hours to cover college
While it could be argued that it’s good students are working more and “slacking off” less in college, the recent report suggesting students are spending less time in class and more time at work paying for it is hardly good news. The recession is taking its toll as budgets get tighter, and the rising costs of college education have been forcing students to spend more and more time working just to cover their basic living expenses. The major downside to this is not only that it sucks to work and take classes full time, but that students might not be getting as much out of their education due to the difficulty in balancing dedicated scholarship and a demanding work schedule. Hopefully, this news will serve as a warning to policy makers and those concerned about higher education that more needs to be done to address the rising costs of access to college.
Thumbs Up: Environmental Public Law Conference begins on Thursday
The University has long been recognized for its Environmental Public Law Conference, which began yesterday and will run through the weekend. This offers the campus and our community an opportunity to visit and think more about the future of an area of law growing in importance. The nationally recognized conference is now in its 27th year, and has historically been a forerunner in bringing together thinkers on this cutting edge of legal policy. We hope interested students find room in their weekend schedules to drop in a visit a few of the events this year. A full schedule can be found on the Law School’s Web site.
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