BIG CUTS LOOMING FOR PUBLIC CAMPUSES

Virtually no amendment with a price tag was added to the House budget, included one PHENOM proposed (#763) to increase funds for financial aid.  The House budget maintains this year’s level of funding for financial aid – clearly inadequate as campuses will be forced to raise fees significantly.

All this bad news is in large part because of the House leadership’s refusal to consider any additional revenue-generating measures.  PHENOM joined many human service and labor organizations in pushing for an amendment (#323) that would have raised $500 million per year by restoring the 12% tax rate on unearned income (dividends and interest).

9 brave Representatives voted in favor of the amendment to restore the 12% tax rate on unearned income.  Please thank Representatives Peter KocotLiz MaliaMatt PatrickDenise ProvostAngelo ScacciaCarl SciortinoEllen StoryBenjamin Swan, and Tim Toomey.

PHENOM held phone-in days on several campuses and generated hundreds of calls to State Representatives in support of amendments 704, 763 and 323.

Now the action shifts to the Senate.  Please call your State Senator about these issues, and especially why and how a 13% cut to our public colleges will be devastating for our students and our economy.

Co-Sponsors of Amendment 704

Aguiar
Arciero
Atsalis
Balser
Basile
Brady
Brownsberger
Cabral
Calter
Cantwell
Clark
Coakley-Rivera
Donelan
Falzone
Fernandes
Fox
Garbally
Gobi
Golden
Grant
Guyer
Humason
Kane
Kocot
M. Walsh
McMurtry
Pignatelli
Puppolo
Quinn
Rice
Richardson
Rodrigues
Rosa
S. Walsh
Scibak
Scortino
Smizik
Smola
Spiliotis
St. Fleur
Sullivan
Welch