FOEGE DENOUNCES CUTS TO EDUCATION

Des Moines, Iowa – Representative Ro Foege, D-Mount Vernon, voted against a Republican budget proposal that jeopardizes higher education for thousands of students after supporting several attempts to improve the proposal failed.

“We cannot expect to keep our bright and creative young people in Iowa unless we properly fund their education at all levels,” said Foege. “Iowa students in our high schools, community colleges, and universities deserve better. The bill that passed the House tonight is woefully inadequate and Iowa students are going to suffer.”

The proposal includes a $5 million reduction to community colleges, elimination of the College-Work Study Program that serves 4,230 students working to pay for their college education, and a $1.4 million reduction to the Tuition Grand Program that serves 14,000 students attending private colleges.

“We started this legislative session with a commitment to education from all parties and members in the House,” added Foege. “My top priority is education and I’m not willing to back away from that.”

Foege also supported a measure to keep open the Agriculture Health and Safety Program at the University of Iowa which helps identify hazards on farms and reduce expenses and health problems for farmers.

The education appropriations bill passed the House on Wednesday evening.