Rep. Haler lauds compromise budget for investments in higher education
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Rep. Haler lauds compromise budget for investments in higher education
Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, did…
The state House of Representatives passed a supplemental budget this evening on the last day of the 2014 legislative session by a vote of 85-13. Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland and member of the House Appropriations Committee, released this statement today:
“This is truly a supplemental budget – the first one we've seen in years. It makes small changes and adjustments that are needed to balance our budget for this biennium and for four years down the road, along with targeted investments in priorities like education and higher education.
“It includes about $58 million for K-12 which is a further down payment on our McCleary obligation. It appropriates about $25 million for opportunity scholarships for low- and middle-income students studying in high-demand fields. And it continues the higher education tuition freeze that we made in our last budget, which is extremely important as our higher education students have had to pay more and more in tuition and end up with greater long-term debt.
“While there is no such thing as a perfect budget, I feel this one lives within our means, is sustainable, does not rely on new or increased taxes, and prioritizes education. For these reasons, I supported the compromise budget plan passed today.”
