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Legislative committee hears testimony on co-chairs' budget in meeting hosted at Cheldelin Middle School
ASOSU President and staff were unable to testify, will travel to Eugene for another hearing
Nick Ngo
Issue date: 4/11/07 Section: News
Olson said it is imperative for the university to receive the governor's budget recommendation.
Within the last 15 years, there has been a diminishing investment in higher education.
"Its impossible for us to make it up in one year, but with the governor's budget at least it's a step in the right direction," Olson said. "One thing Oregon needs to invest in is the K-12 education system, but without that concurrent investment in Oregon public universities, legislators will create such an empty promise for current and future students across the state."
Rep. Nolan said they're continuing to work on the issues presented to them from other schools that spoke at the hearing, along with previous testimonies from members of the Oregon Student Association.
"Oregonians in recent years have insisted in paying taxes at the bottom 10 of all 50 states," Nolan said. "Unfortunately, when you pay taxes at that low of a rate, it's hard to keep your services much better then the bottom 10.
"We're trying to do the best we can with the resources available and talk with people to pay a little more with taxes in order to get better services at public places like universities."
Sen. Schrader commented that needs at universities are great.
"The problem we have is we don't have enough revenue, so we're giving it to the younger kids," Schrader said.
"But heck, what are we going to do when they get older? How are they going to do well in the university or college setting or get a job? So we have to come up with more revenue, and I'm here for all this."
Nolan said it's important to understand how all the services connect.
"If we're not funding good early-childhood programs, then we don't have kids who really engage in elementary schools," Nolan said. "If we're not funding the K-12 system adequately, students who go to universities aren't prepared for the level of college programs they have.
"They're all connected; we can't do one and not the other - it won't work."
Olson, along with other ASOSU and OSU representatives, will travel to Eugene today in order to get a chance to testify. This time they will be heading down earlier to get a spot at the top of the list.
The field hearing will take place at the University of Oregon Willis Business Complex in room 282 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Within the last 15 years, there has been a diminishing investment in higher education.
"Its impossible for us to make it up in one year, but with the governor's budget at least it's a step in the right direction," Olson said. "One thing Oregon needs to invest in is the K-12 education system, but without that concurrent investment in Oregon public universities, legislators will create such an empty promise for current and future students across the state."
Rep. Nolan said they're continuing to work on the issues presented to them from other schools that spoke at the hearing, along with previous testimonies from members of the Oregon Student Association.
"Oregonians in recent years have insisted in paying taxes at the bottom 10 of all 50 states," Nolan said. "Unfortunately, when you pay taxes at that low of a rate, it's hard to keep your services much better then the bottom 10.
"We're trying to do the best we can with the resources available and talk with people to pay a little more with taxes in order to get better services at public places like universities."
Sen. Schrader commented that needs at universities are great.
"The problem we have is we don't have enough revenue, so we're giving it to the younger kids," Schrader said.
"But heck, what are we going to do when they get older? How are they going to do well in the university or college setting or get a job? So we have to come up with more revenue, and I'm here for all this."
Nolan said it's important to understand how all the services connect.
"If we're not funding good early-childhood programs, then we don't have kids who really engage in elementary schools," Nolan said. "If we're not funding the K-12 system adequately, students who go to universities aren't prepared for the level of college programs they have.
"They're all connected; we can't do one and not the other - it won't work."
Olson, along with other ASOSU and OSU representatives, will travel to Eugene today in order to get a chance to testify. This time they will be heading down earlier to get a spot at the top of the list.
The field hearing will take place at the University of Oregon Willis Business Complex in room 282 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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