Community college trustees support governor’s call for new revenue for higher education
11/23/2011
News release from Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges
OLYMPIA, Wash. – In response to the threat of further cuts to higher education, the Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges (TACTC) has endorsed Gov. Gregoire’s proposal to raise the sales tax by a half cent to buy back the proposed cuts in higher education.
The Governor’s budget proposal for addressing the $1.4 billion budget deficit includes a reduction of $160 million to higher education.
The temporary increase to the sales tax would generate $494 million in new, dedicated revenue this biennium. The additional revenue would restore the $160 million cut to higher education, as well as cuts to K-12, health care, and public safety.
“We cannot sit back and watch the open doors of our community and technical colleges close to the students who desperately need the opportunity for education and training to get good jobs,” said Tom Malone, TACTC President and Seattle Community College District trustee. “Further cuts to higher education would jeopardize our future economic prosperity. We must stand with the Governor and make this investment for our students and our state.”
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About the Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges:
The Washington Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges (TACTC) is comprised of all 150 trustees of the 30 two-year college districts in Washington and is the "trade association" for trustees. The vision of TACTC is to insure quality, affordable and lifelong educational opportunities for all the people of Washington State. The mission of TACTC is to support, educate and unite Washington State community and technical college trustees in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.