OSA’s Statement to the Governor’s Recommended Budget for 2019-2021

The Governor’s Recommended Budget for 19-21 does not present a “base budget” and an “investment budget.” It presents a cuts budget and a status quo budget.

A true investment that would meet the needs of students would be:

• $1 billion for the Public Universities Support Fund

• $787 million for the Community College Support Fund

• $252 million for the Oregon Opportunity Grant

We do not need smaller tuition increases. We need tuition freezes.

We do not need financial aid to be accessible to some more of the students in need. We need financial aid to be accessible to all of the students in need.

The State of Oregon has been leaving students to foot the bill for public higher education for too long. It’s time for the state of Oregon to show up and put their money with their mouth is. Oregon’s debt to students is past due.

We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to come up with a revenue plan and budget that actually meets the needs of students in Oregon.