2008 Woodie Awards
Governor vetoes $154 million in community college funding
Rebekah Thompson
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Front Page
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Gov. Rick Perry vetoed $154 million in community college funding this summer, sending shock waves through community college budgets in Texas.
It is not the first time Amarillo College has had to regroup in the wake of a budget cut. AC still is recovering from a budget cut made four years ago.
The governor's recent cut came as a surprise to Amarillo College President Steven Jones only because the last budget cut came at a time of economic difficulties in the state. This cut is being made while Texas is doing considerably well economically. At the time of the veto, Texas had a $7 billion state surplus, making the governor's frugality appear unnecessary.
The governor justified his veto by stating that the process of funding higher education was "seriously flawed."
AC stands to lose $3.8 million in funding, inspiring critics of the veto to voice their opinion.
"Rick Perry thinks that local government should fund community colleges instead of the state," said Social Sciences Professor Dr. Brian Farmer.
"This veto sets Perry up to give a property tax cut in 2009. He certainly has a political agenda."
If Perry does not reverse his decision, the $3.8 million loss in funds will be a direct hit to employee health insurance.
Jones pointed out that the state itself mandates health insurance.
"What's happening here is this veto has risen to a high level of attention the underfunding of community colleges," Jones said. AC does have a plan in place to replace the lost funds, but Jones is hopeful they will be restored.
Krista Moody, deputy press secretary in the governor's office, said Perry has been working with community colleges and will continue to work on the issue until an agreement is reached.
"We appropriate funds by looking at each college individually," Moody said. "In 2005, every community college within the state of Texas was circumventing the law."
Moody said the "law of proportionality" was the basis for fraudulent accusations against community colleges, thus leading to the veto. However, the "law of proportionality was considered and addressed by the Legislature at many hearings throughout the appropriations process, at the end of which a bill was passed for the full amount to be distributed to community colleges.
It is not the first time Amarillo College has had to regroup in the wake of a budget cut. AC still is recovering from a budget cut made four years ago.
The governor's recent cut came as a surprise to Amarillo College President Steven Jones only because the last budget cut came at a time of economic difficulties in the state. This cut is being made while Texas is doing considerably well economically. At the time of the veto, Texas had a $7 billion state surplus, making the governor's frugality appear unnecessary.
The governor justified his veto by stating that the process of funding higher education was "seriously flawed."
AC stands to lose $3.8 million in funding, inspiring critics of the veto to voice their opinion.
"Rick Perry thinks that local government should fund community colleges instead of the state," said Social Sciences Professor Dr. Brian Farmer.
"This veto sets Perry up to give a property tax cut in 2009. He certainly has a political agenda."
If Perry does not reverse his decision, the $3.8 million loss in funds will be a direct hit to employee health insurance.
Jones pointed out that the state itself mandates health insurance.
"What's happening here is this veto has risen to a high level of attention the underfunding of community colleges," Jones said. AC does have a plan in place to replace the lost funds, but Jones is hopeful they will be restored.
Krista Moody, deputy press secretary in the governor's office, said Perry has been working with community colleges and will continue to work on the issue until an agreement is reached.
"We appropriate funds by looking at each college individually," Moody said. "In 2005, every community college within the state of Texas was circumventing the law."
Moody said the "law of proportionality" was the basis for fraudulent accusations against community colleges, thus leading to the veto. However, the "law of proportionality was considered and addressed by the Legislature at many hearings throughout the appropriations process, at the end of which a bill was passed for the full amount to be distributed to community colleges.
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