Tale of two guvs: Washington and Oregon diverge on higher ed funding priorities

Washington’s governor loves community colleges. Oregon’s doesn’t.

Across the country, state governors are proposing dismal budgets for the upcoming biennium. In the Pacific NW, OR Governor Ted Kulongoski and WA Governor Chris Gregoire made their proposals facing deficits of 10% (OR) and 17% (WA). Obviously, both guvs were forced to announce painful cuts in worthwhile programs. Their higher education budgets show that WA Gov. Gregoire values community colleges more than OR Guv Kulongoski.

Some background: State budget cuts are particularly painful to higher ed for two reasons. First, states must balance their budget every year – they can’t run a federal-style deficit. Second, in most states, certain programs are ‘protected’ by federal mandate or state constitution – programs like Medicare and K-12 education.

Excluding protected programs from cuts punishes unprotected programs… like higher ed. Ultimately, governors’ proposals must be approved (and altered) by state legislatures before they become law.

Facing cuts, Oregon’s Kulongoski spared university systems at the expense of community colleges. Washington’s Gregoire did the opposite. Kulongoski lavished Oregon’s universities with 9% increases while saddling Oregon’s CCs with 3% cuts. Oregon’s CCs are not pleased. In WA, Gregoire faced deeper cuts, but favored CCs over universities. CCs will suffer 6% cuts, but universities will grapple with 13% cuts. WA’s CCs are relieved, if not thrilled.

Gregoire’s approach makes more sense. She understands that CC role in retraining workers for tomorrow’s jobs. To be charitable, Kulongoski spared Oregon’s CCs from the much deeper cuts faced by criminal justice, health services, and transportation. But his higher ed priorities are clear, and misguided.

WA 2009-11 budget proposal
OR 2009-11 budget proposal