“Facts are stubborn things. Perhaps that is why proponents of higher education spending tend to ignore them on this important issue,” said Republican Party of Louisiana Communications Director Aaron Baer. “As our state deals with challenging economic times and the resulting budgetary shortfalls, Louisianians deserve to know the truth about higher education spending before the Legislature considers proposals to raise taxes on Louisiana families and businesses.
“They deserve to know that spending has nearly doubled in the last 10 years – the 3rd highest growth rate in the nation; that while 2008 per capital personal income in Louisiana was just $36,271, more than 2,000 education officials made $100,000 plus a year; and that proponents are overstating the actual percentage reduction higher education is facing in 2010.
“Louisiana’s institutes of higher learning are of course vital to our state’s future, but elected officials must know these important facts about higher education funding before they consider increased taxes that would have devastating impact on our economy. They should confront our budgetary challenges with facts rather than rhetoric.”
The TRUTH About Higher Education Funding
LA Higher Education Spending Has Nearly DOUBLED in 10 Years. Over the TEN years between FY 99 and FY 09, state taxpayer support for higher education in Louisiana grew by 99.7 percent – NEARLY DOUBLING in just ten years. (Center for the Study of Education Policy, Illinois State University, 2/4/09, Accessed 5/29/09.)
LA Higher Education Spending Has Grown Faster Than Other Southern States. In the past 10 years, taxpayer support for higher education in Louisiana grew by 99.7% which outpaces Mississippi (42.6%), Texas (63.7%), Alabama (68.2%), and Georgia (75.7%). (Center for the Study of Education Policy, Illinois State University, 2/4/09, Accessed 5/29/09.)
LA Higher Education Spending Increase is the THIRD HIGHEST in the Nation over the Last 10 Years. A survey from the Illinois State University Center for the Study of Education Policy shows that LA’s increased rate of state spending for higher education is the third highest state spending growth rate in the nation over the last ten years. LA’s 99.7 percent growth rate is behind only Wyoming (124.5 percent) and Nevada (116.3 percent). (Center for the Study of Education Policy, Illinois State University, 2/4/09, Accessed 5/29/09.)
Total Higher Education Funding INCREASED $423.4 Million from FY 05 to FY 09, While Number of Students Served DECREASED over same period. While the total number of students served in FY 09 is 6,809 LESS than the enrollment highpoint of FY 05 (before the effects of the 2005 storms), total funding for higher education for FY 09 (not including hospital funds) is $423.4 million MORE than the FY 05 level. (“‘Deep focus,’ perspective needed on higher education,” Louisiana Department of Administration, 5/28/09, Accessed 5/29/09)
2,049 Higher Education Employees Have Six-Figure Salaries. “The biggest pay is in higher education, where 2,049 people make more than $100,000 a year.” (Michelle Millhollon, “11,839 state paychecks top $70,000, Baton Rouge Advocate, 1/18/09)
Next Year’s Budget Would Only Reduce Higher Education Funding by 4.8 Percent. “[T]he total recommended budget for Higher Education in the FY 10 Executive Budget was $2.638 billion, a reduction of $219 million, or 7.7 percent, from the $2.857 billion existing operating budget for FY 09. However, for FY 09, Higher Education operating budgets also included $1.636 billion in “restricted” funding. So, factoring for those funds means an FY 09 total funding level for Higher Education of $4.493 billion, and the $219 million proposed reduction for FY 10 brings a decrease from the previous year of 4.8 percent. And that’s before you even consider any of the other Legislative funding actions…” (“More perspective on higher education,” Louisiana Department of Administration, 5/29/09, Accessed 5/29/09)