SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission warned leaders of the state’s colleges and universities Friday to get ready for more state budget cuts.
“The budget is not going to be balanced with taxes this year. There are going to be cuts and it’s probably going to be on the backs of higher education,” commission member Kathy Eddy predicted at the HEPC’s meeting in South Charleston.
Legislative leaders and the governor’s office have been in meetings for most of the week trying to come up with solutions for a $270 million revenue shortfall. They’ve had trouble agreeing on possible tax increases and further cuts for next fiscal year’s budget.
Colleges and universities aren’t going to be rescued by new state revenue, Eddy said.
“Institutions have got to be looking at what you can do. We cannot wait and just blame it on the legislature. We are where we are in terms of the numbers,” Eddy said.
Higher education has gradually received fewer state dollars over the last several years and the institutions have offset that with tuition and fee increases.
Commission member Clarence Pennington said the schools need to further cut if possible.
“Leave no leaf unturned because we need this ship to sail far, far forward in the future and it’s on our watch if we let this happen,” Pennington said.
West Virginia Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin called the current budget situation a “terrifying time.” She took an opportunity Friday to criticize lawmakers for not reaching a budget agreement.
“In the guise of saying, ‘We’re going to downsize government. We’re going to drink raw milk. We’re going to do for the people what they want done.’ Maybe they do want it done but if they don’t you better let your legislators know,” Goodwin said to fellow commission members.
State Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Paul Hill told the commission he has not yet been approached by the governor’s office about additional cuts beyond the four percent reduction announced earlier. Goodwin said that’s going to happen.
“I predict they will wait after May 10th so their elections are safe and secure but after that time they know no fear,” she said.