Community colleges take their case to legislature
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Valik said the bill affects all of the state. "In every community, community colleges are at the heart of that community. If this bill is not passed and we don't settle the issue, the results will be an increase in student tuition or a cut in services."
TACC President and CEO Dr. Rey Garcia said that without a clear understanding of what the state will pay and what the communities must pay for, "communities will have to make some hard choices - either tuition increases, tax increase or cutting services."
Bud Harris, dean of Business and Community Education at Del Mar College, said that when the governor vetoed the $154 million state payment for health insurance costs in 2007, Del Mar's board of regents took a number of actions to try to deal with the situation. He said if HB 2083 does not pass it will have "serious ramifications" for his institution. The potential loss of those funds two years ago represented a $2 million reduction - or cost - for Del Mar. That represents 12 percent of the institution's operating budget, he said. Harris added that the result would be either addressing tuition increases or looking at an increase in the taxing rate.
Wharton County Junior College Betty McCrohan noted the importance of community colleges in meeting workforce needs. She said WCJC is turning away 150 students in its nursing program. "These are students ready to go into the program and come out nurses," she said. This, she noted, at a time when "more than 50 percent of our nurses are coming from overseas." McCrohan said her institution's enrollment increased by 28 percent - 66 percent from the Hispanic community - and the college has instituted success initiatives. State appropriations have not increased, she said, "putting the burden on our students. Our taxpayers can't stand any more of this burden."
A companion bill, SB 41, is in committee in the Senate, but a hearing date has not been scheduled.
"We're optimistic that the Senate will see fit to do what the House did," said Garcia, "and do what's right by community colleges."
