As we head into the new legislative session and prepare for Gov. Huntsman's budget proposal, there will be much talk about what needs to but cut. I recently commented that I felt the highest priorities to the state are education. Public and Higher education are the future of this state and we must do what we can to encourage it. Weber State's Associate Dean of Economics, Dr. Clifford N0well, has stated Weber State sees an increase in enrollment during tougher economic times. Therefore now is the time we should encourage people to attend not cut their chances of learning.
The Standard Examiner's most recent editorial talks about this same issue. (See Here) They very appropriately point out we are already last in per pupil spending. The editorial reports that we currently spend $5,964 per student, compare this to the national average of $9,963. To cut this even more would be drastic to the future of Utah. These are the future tax payers and workers of this state, the economic future of Utah. Don't damage our future by destroying the present, especially where education is the present to our future. As for Weber State, the editorial makes light of the fact Weber State is the only accredited school in accounting. To cut funds and potentially lose this accreditation could be disastrous.
We have tough decisions to make in 2009, lets pool our resources to limit the cuts to education and our future. Thanks to the Standard Examiner for a great editorial. Contact your legislature and ask them to protect education from future budget cuts. You can find your legislator by following this link: http://le.utah.gov/documents/find.htm
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