Higher Education Funding Squeeze

Delegate Kenneth R. "Ken" Plum 

A favorite target for budget cutters in Virginia and other states during the economic recession has been higher education.  While public institutions of higher education rely on state funding, there are other sources of funds available to them, the most obvious being tuition and fees.  As the number of wealthy alumni grows, there is the potential for increased endowments.  Fundraising campaigns at the University of Virginia, for example, have goals in the billions of dollars and exceed many private institutions.  Contracts with the private sector and government agencies help to grow university research budgets. 

There is no denying the fact that colleges and universities in Virginia have been hard-hit with budget reductions.  Some schools find themselves operating at the level of 2004 state funding when they must meet inflationary cost increases and expected student growth.  There appeared to be hope for the colleges and universities when Governor McDonnell announced a goal of 100,000 more graduates and in December of last year communicated that he was going to seek additional monies for higher education. 

With the Governor's support the General Assembly did increase funding for higher education.  Last week, however, the Governor sent college presidents a letter asking them to limit in-state tuition and fee increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).  While keeping tuition down is a legitimate concern of parents and students, the limitation means that efforts to expand programs and services will likely be curtailed. 

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis in Richmond found in its study that during the time Governor McDonnell has been in office state funding for higher education has not kept up with the CPI.  In addition, the FY 2013 increase in state support for higher education is not even enough to make up for declines in support in FY 2011 and FY 2012 when inflation is factored in.  While the decline in state support for higher education has been a key factor in institutions having to raise tuition and fees in recent years, the limitation of keeping tuition and fee increases to the CPI means that something else will have to go, whether it is programs or classes.  According to the Institute, if Virginia's funding for higher education had kept up with inflation since FY 2010, then FY 2013 and FY 2014 general fund support for higher ed would have been $1.76 and $1.79 billion, respectively.  Instead, the levels were $1.67 billion per year.  Clearly, higher education is caught in a funding squeeze that is likely to result in a reduction in programs if funding is not increased.

Attend Ken's Public Meeting on June 5

Delegate Ken Plum and Senator Janet Howell will host a Public Meeting on Tuesday, June 5, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston.  Find out what new laws go into effect on July 1.  Learn what got funded and what didn't in the Commonwealth's two-year spending plan.  This event is free and open to the public; all are welcome.

Fairfax County Farmers Markets Open 2012 Season

As in years past, the first week of May signals the opening of the Fairfax County Farmers Markets.  Today, May 2, is the kickoff day opening for the first time this season.  The rest of the 11 markets sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Authority will be opening throughout the week and will remain open through November.  The Reston Farmers Market opens this Saturday, May 5, 8:00 a.m. to Noon at Lake Anne Village Cetner, 11401 North Shore Drive. The Fairfax County Farmers Markets are a "producer-only," locally grown, market system.  All vendors come from within a 125-mile radius of Fairfax County and must grow or produce all products they sell at the markets.  The farmers markets offer shoppers the opportunity to ask questions and connect with farmers and producers whose food and plants they buy.  Supporting local farmers helps preserve farmland while protecting the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.  In May, the markets are teeming with the early season harvest of strawberries, asparagus, spring onions, salad greens, radishes, Swiss chard, and beets.  Late season apples carefully kept in cold storage are as crisp as the day they were picked.    Start your own herb garden with potted herbs incuding sage, lavender, oregano, thyme, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, chives, dill, and basil.  Backyard gardeners can purchase pepper and tomato plants.  Annual flowers and hanging baskets round out the plant offerings.  Other fare include artisan breads, cheeses, beef, pork, chicken, sausages, fresh farm eggs, salsas, hummus, and much more.

Parenting Education Programs Offered by Fairfax County

The Fairfax County Department of Family Services Parenting Education Programs is enrolling families for several upcoming parenting classes.  These programs are special in that both parents and children attend the classes although children are taught in different classrooms from the parents.  Classes are for Fairfax County residents; they meet from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., are free, and include dinner and child care.  Classes meet once a week for 12, 13, or 21 weeks depending on the curriculum.  If you would like to receive a brochure about a specific program, please contact the coordinator for that program as follows:

Tsehay Elias - "Good-Touch/Bad-Touch" - 703.324.7459; tsehay.elias@fairfaxcounty.gov

Krissa Slone - "Community Partnerships" - 703.324.7745; krissa.slone@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Padia Grant - "AA Curriculum Coordinator" - 703.324.7459; padia.grant@fairfaxcounty.gov.

New 2012-13 Quick Guide to Human Services Now Available

The 21st edition of the Quick Guide to Human Services, a comprehensive, regional listing of public and private human services compiled by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission, is now available on NVRC's website at www.novaregion.org/helpingresources.