As Governor Jesse Ventura released his budget plan for fiscal years 2002-2003 on Tuesday, there was little evidence of a belief that it is time for the state of Minnesota to invest in public higher education. Smaller amounts of money were allocated in the budget for specific initiatives. Students fear that a lack of financial investment in higher education by the state will result in tuition increases and program cuts.
Students are disappointed with the governor's lack of attention to higher education issues.
We call on the Legislature to recognize the flaws in such a low budget, and to make investments in public higher education that will save our institutions and our students' pocketbooks. Students are also concerned about several financial aid recommendations made in the governor's budget plan. In Minnesota, Pell Grant increases intended for the lowest income students are instead reallocated by the state to various financial aid programs, which often unfairly benefit higher income students. A lack of support for the Pell Pass Through means that more and more low-income students will be left out of higher education opportunities. The governor has also proposed to remove child care grant funding from HESO and consolidate it with other child care programs in Health and Human Services.