Tacoma’s News Tribune has an excellent lead editorial today on the effect of higher education funding cuts — both on individuals and on the state economy as a whole. Here’s an excerpt —
Opportunity is intangible, so it’s hard to see it vanishing. But sometimes the loss comes into clear focus.
It’s been painfully visible at the University of Washington this month as the school has been forced to deny acceptance to 325 students who would – with enough state funding – have otherwise been admitted for spring quarter. . .
With a state revenue shortfall now verging on $6 billion, any call for protecting a state program sounds like special pleading. The shortfall is so staggering that lawmakers will have to make some cuts in higher education and every other corner of the budget.
But any major reduction in college funding will come at a high price.Washington’s future hinges on a healthy higher education system. Its economy depends on skilled workers and creative, well-educated innovators. Its high school graduates deserve a fighting chance to become those skilled workers and innovators.
You can read the entire editorial here.