TJC president says governor 'levied tax' on college students

Tyler Junior College President Dr. William R. Crowe this week called Gov. Rick Perr y's proclamation veto of health insurance benefit funding for the state's 50 community colleges "insensitive" and said the governor has "levied a tax on access to higher education."

"To pass along a $16 per hour, per student expenditure to local community college districts is not only unwise and insensitive, it is counter to efforts to remove obstacles for students who can barely afford to attend college now," he said.

"Though the governor has positioned himself over the years as against new taxes, he has himself levied a tax on higher education."

Because of the governor's line-item veto, local community college districts will be forced to find alternative sources of funding to continue to provide existing services for the 2008- 09 school year, he said.

The loss in health care funding for benefit eligible employees will cost Tyler Junior College an estimated $3.36 million in 2008-09. To replace the withdrawn funding, TJC would have to increase its tuition and fees by $16 per credit hour by the 2008-09 school year.

State Sen. Kevin Eltife echoed Dr. Crowe's concerns.

"The Senate and House had worked very hard to see that we adequately funded our community colleges. My concern is that by cutting our state funding to these institutions, we will only drive up the costs of tuition and/or property taxes.

"I am hopeful that we can work during the interim with the governor's office to find some common ground and restore this funding."