Louisiana’s higher education leaders argued their value to the state’s economy as they urged state lawmakers to keep college campuses from deep cuts next year. As The Associated Press reports, under the most dire scenario, colleges could face cuts nearing $600 million—a reduction of 82% of their state financing.
College system presidents have said that would shutter some campuses and cripple those that could remain open. LSU President F. King Alexander recently wrapped up a whirlwind tour of local speaking engagements, during which he outlined the doomsday scenario and said it could cut LSU’s budget for the flagship Baton Rouge campus from $115 million to about $80 million.
The House Appropriations Committee today reviewed Gov. Bobby Jindal’s higher education budget recommendations for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Jindal’s proposal would cut more than $220 million from campuses and relies on $372 million from uncertain tax break changes that need legislative approval.
Campuses want the authority to raise tuition and fees but say that won’t be enough to offset even the smaller gap.
