Students lobby for education funding

INDIANAPOLIS -- Hoosiers for Higher Education visited the Statehouse in Indianapolis Wednesday to lobby legislators and to learn about legislation that will be affecting higher education. \nDue to the current recession there has been a shortfall in state revenue and cuts to the state budget. These cuts contribute to IU's financial constraints and pose the likelihood of tuition increases.\n"IU is facing over $50 million in cuts in the next year or two, and that will translate into significant tuition increases for our students," Kirk White, director of HHE, said. \nThere are several other issues for students to be aware of in addition to the possibility of significant tuition increases. If changes are not made, there could be reductions in services available on campus or layoffs of employees.\nWhite said it was vital for all friends of IU to contact their legislators and make sure to let them know that this will have a serious impact on them individually, as students, faculty or alumni.\nSenate Finance Chairman Lawrence M. Borst (R -- Ind.) laid out his "Forward Indiana" plan to raise several taxes, such as sales, cigarette, income and gambling. The raise in taxes would help provide property tax relief from homeowners, as Indiana is ranked high in home-ownership. \nBorst expects his proposal to be amended into the tax restructuring plan (House Bill 1004) Thursday morning at the Senate Finance Committee meeting. The revised bill would then be open for change and be voted on by the full Senate next week.\n"Borst will be presenting a whole new funding formula that's different from what was sent to the house. (Wednesday) is a very vital day," White said.\nSenator Vi Simpson (D -- Bloomington) said HB 1004 currently only deals with tax restructuring, not the budget shortfall, in trying to help overcome the $800 million state deficit. \n"What that means for higher education is that if we don't deal with the additional revenue as well as cuts, then we'll be talking about cutting higher education and other services of state government by much more than the $62 million which has already been cut," Simpson said.\nDuring the morning legislation briefing in the Radisson hotel, those in attendance were informed on key issues to discuss with their legislators. Hoosiers for Higher Education is a statewide organization of about 11,000 students, alumni and supporters of IU. Following the briefing, representatives from several IU campuses headed to the Statehouse to meet with their legislators. \nThe founder and first director of HHE, Sue Talbot, noted the increase in participation and diversity in representation and leadership. She hopes that one of the effects will be increased awareness of the interest in supporting higher education. \n"It's important to let them know that we're out here supporting higher education and they relate to us," Talbot said. "We can help them, they can help us."\nOften representatives do not have the chance to meet with constituents except during visits to the Statehouse. Since legislators are working for their voters, it is important to them that they know how the voters feel about issues such as education.\nSeveral students and faculty from the School of Information Technology were part of the Bloomington constituency that made the trip to Indianapolis. They met with Simpson to express gratitude for work done so far, and to make sure funding will be available in the future.\n"I think it's good that the legislators get to see the students and know who they are working for," senior Mosmi Biscuitwala said.\nShe said the most important thing was that the legislators recognized their presence.\nAssistant Director of HHE Cornelius Wright agreed that the participation by the students is vital to make a difference in the possible tax restructuring plan. \n"The students are showing their support. They are making sure that their education is going to be well taken care of," he said. "I think that will really make an impact."\nSteve Ferguson of the IU Board of Trustees discussed the importance of the bill and for everyone to get involved.\n"There's no better investment than an investment in our young people and our future," he said. \nSee www.in.gov/legislative/contact/index.html for information about contacting Indiana legislators.