Portland responds to Ways and Means budget

Supporters of Oregon universities testified Thursday night in front of the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee about the committee’s proposal that cut millions in higher education funds from the governor’s proposed state budget.

The Jefferson High School auditorium was packed with citizens outraged with the changes made to Governor Ted Kulongoski’s proposed budget.

“Budgets are all about the choices you make,” said Representative Mary Nolan, who officiated during the meeting.

The Ways and Means Committee, the state budget committee that takes the governor’s proposal and makes its own budget proposal to submit to the state Legislature, cut about $33 million from the budget Kulongoski recommended for the Oregon University System. The committee cut over $300 million from the capital construction budget, which funds work like building renovations in universities.

Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, one of the first to speak, urged the co-chairs to add more to their budget for higher education, saying that PSU brought a significant number of jobs and a large amount of revenue to Portland.

Johnnie Ozimkowski, PSU student and current vice-presidential candidate for the Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU), said he planned on testifying, but by the time he had signed up, the list was already full.

Ozimkowski said that Oregon relies heavily on college graduates. He said graduates “grow the seed” of the economy, and that the higher salaries earned by college graduates benefit the state.

ASPSU President Courtney Morse said that she was let down by the budget. She said the smaller budget could cause drastic cutbacks in the childcare program, and the possible condemnation of Lincoln Hall.

Morse said that more and more jobs require college degrees, and that the demands to be successful do not match the support given by the government.

“It’s just really disappointing,” she said of the budget, prior to her testimony. “Education needs to be thought of as a seamless transition.”

The 14 members of the committee sat at tables up on the stage taking notes and conferring with one another throughout the evening. Everyone from Kurt Widmer to city commissioners to recovering addicts, were present to tell the senators what they thought of the budget.

Representative Nancy Nathanson held two cards to maintain order: orange when the testifier had 30 seconds remaining and red when they were out of time. Attendees were ordered not to clap because it cut into the time. Over 160 people signed up to testify.

At the podium, Courtney Morse talked about the importance of advancing academia. She spoke quickly, trying to get the most of her time. Fees are rising, Lincoln Hall is condemned, and there is no support from the budget, Morse said.

“Reinvest in secondary education!” she yelled. Despite Nolan’s instructions, she finished her speech to applause.

Susan Dodd, associate director of the PSU budget, followed Morse.

“It seems the Legislature is divesting in higher education,” said Dodd, adding that she was frustrated with the budget. She said that PSU had worked hard to make environmentally friendly changes suggested by the Legislature.

Dodd said that students were attending classes in “buildings that are falling down,” and that this was a poor way to support the city. She urged the committee to reconsider the budget.

John Cieply, a mechanic with the facilities and planning department at PSU, said he had given the representatives a tour of PSU to show them exactly what work was required on campus.

“I left that night with optimism,” Cieply said at the podium. “Please give us the chance.”

He said that the Ways and Means Committee budget would not allow all the work needed to stall the deterioration of many buildings.

The meeting was extended a half-hour from its original allotment. At 9 p.m., Nolan adjourned the meeting so that the representatives could go home if they wished. She added that the testimony would be continued as long as some senators and representatives remained.

“You have really given us some good input,” said Nolan. Though the crowd began to thin out, all of the co-chairs remained to continue to hear testimony.