Hundreds of community and
technical college students rallied at the state capital yesterday with one
clear message for the Legislature: no more cuts to higher education. Democratic
and Republican lawmakers from the House and Senate spoke to the crowd of
students who filled the legislative building rotunda. |
| Rep. Larry Seaquist |
The state is facing a
$1.5 billion shortfall for the remainder of the current budget cycle. At this
point, lawmakers are considering all budget cutting options, including higher
education, in order to balance the budget.
Higher education tuition
has risen dramatically in recent years due to the slow economy. In 2008,
undergrad students at the University of Washington were paying $6,679 a year
in tuition
and fees. For the current school year, those same students are paying $10,223 a year – a 35% increase in
three years.
Like most political rallies,
the students were armed with creative signs to express their messages about
higher education.
- “Please open your minds
to other options.
Our future depends on you.
Our children depend on us.”
- “Education = Economic Recovery”
- “Do not cut the solution”
- “Education is a right”
