Community colleges help the economy

The state of New York’s economy is precarious. Battered by a recession that saw Wall Street implode — and tens of thousands of workers in the finance industry laid off — the Empire State has been hurting since mid-2008, if not before.

Now the state government is facing an $8 billion deficit. That has led Gov. David Paterson, who recently announced that he would not run this year amid an abuse-of-power scandal, to call for dramatic, across-the-board cuts to the budget — even to its health care and education sectors.

We understand the need for belt-tightening. The state simply cannot run a deficit. It has no ability to issue treasury certificates like the federal government to fill a budget gap.

But we question Paterson’s recent proposal to cut $53.3 million in funding for community colleges statewide. That would equate to $285 per student.

At first blush, $285 might not sound like a whole lot of money. But many who choose community college over private and even state institutions of higher learning are among the state’s poorest residents, hoping for the better future that a solid education promises. Many are young mothers and fathers desperately trying to make ends meet while working at low-wage jobs and caring for their children.

Others have no choice but to attend community college because their parents have lost their jobs — and their steady incomes — in the recession.

In short, these are students on the edge, teetering between staying in school and dropping out. Any tuition hike that may result from the cuts would most hurt those who are least capable of affording higher education.

And in the long run, that would be bad for New York’s economy. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2006 the average earning power of Americans with high school diplomas was $28,645. By comparison, the earning power of Americans with bachelor’s degrees was $51,554. Those with associate’s degrees, issued most often by community colleges, fell in the middle.

Increasing young people’s earning power is, over time, good for the state, because people with higher incomes pay higher taxes. In effect, the state’s investment in community colleges is returned many times over students’ lifetimes.

These days, a college education is becoming increasingly difficult for young Americans to afford. Private schools cost anywhere from nearly $30,000 to more than $50,000 per year for tuition, room and board. Even state schools can cost $12,000 to $18,000 annually. For many young people, community colleges represent the last great hope of attaining a college education.

That’s why we’re asking our state lawmakers to carefully consider the state’s proposal to reduce funding for our community colleges. And if that funding must be cut, we ask that our legislators keep a watchful eye on the state budget to ensure that the neediest students are not overlooked and receive some degree of help to assist them in their quest for a college degree.