Oregon’s universities and colleges are leaning on state lawmakers to increase funding. It comes as lawmakers debate whether to increase taxes to pay for K-12 education.
The revenue proposal would raise up to two billion dollars. Legislative Democrats have earmarked that exclusively for preschool and K-12 funding. That rankled fellow Democrat, Gov. Kate Brown. She told reporters that lawmakers are moving in the wrong direction when it comes to higher ed funding.
“I believe very strongly if the legislature is going to create an investment package, that a portion of those resources need to go to higher education,” said Brown. “And that is not the case at this point in time.”
But House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, said the budget discussions are a reflection of what taxpayers have said they support the most. “I think Oregonians want to focus on K-12. It’s not that they don’t like community colleges and universities. They’re just wanting us to focus on K-12.”
Most Oregon universities are waiting to see what lawmakers agree on before setting tuition rates for next year. One exception is Oregon State, which announced a 4.29% increase for full time Oregon resident undergrads.
