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$529 Million for Oregon's Community Colleges!

On Monday, April 16th, Tim Daley, Christina Alexander and Julie Kremers, members of AFT locals 3190 and 3972, the faculty and classified staff at Southwestern Oregon Community College, testified in front of the Ways and Means Education Subcommittee on the state Community College and Workforce Development budget. They contributed to the many voices pushing for $529 million for Oregon's community colleges.

Oregon's Community Colleges need a re-investment by the state legislature:

As of 2007, Oregon ranks poorly in the following funding statistics for post-secondary education:

• 46th amongst states in state funding per student for community colleges
• 45th amongst states in a family's ability to afford community colleges
• 43rd among states in funding from state and local governments on post-secondary education

Furthermore, since 2001, Oregon's community colleges have lost over $100 million in state support once inflation is factored in. The Co-Chairs budget recommendation for Community Colleges represents a 13.7% decrease in funding for Community Colleges from 2001.

In order to keep pace with the needs of our state, it is vital that the legislature work with the Governor to reach $529 million in state support for community colleges.