Public education should be defended against ‘outrageous’ cuts

The extreme cuts to universities recently proposed by certain members of the Arizona State Legislature are outrageous and clearly founded on misguided logic and simple ignorance of the importance of education and the university system in our state.

The UA’s share of these cuts, if they pass, would be $103 million now and additional extreme cuts in the next fiscal year. After already scraping the bottom of the budget barrel by slashing the university allocations this year, then attempting to siphon off ‘surplus’ tuition dollars at mid-term, this latest step is the most disgraceful and narrow-minded.

It amazes me how certain lawmakers are unable to see the contributions the public universities make to the state. In addition to educating students and employing residents, the universities support the local economy by investing in construction and industry, as well as drawing groups that then spend money on hotels, food, transportation, and pay taxes. The grants that the universities bring in to the state alone justify their ongoing support.

Rather than slightly raise taxes or accept federal money, some elected officials have decided to play the Angel of Death and execute public education altogether. The consequences will be felt for decades, when the uneducated populations grow up and find themselves unqualified for quality jobs and as more employers and investors flee the state because it refuses to invest in its future.

I encourage every citizen of this state to fight for their own right to quality public education. Stand up for reason and logic before it is too late.

Lucy Blaney

Spanish and Portugese graduate