* News Web site * Opinion * Ideas Candidates for governor must focus on education

Published in the Pueblo Chieftain on June 20, 2010



By STEVE TITUS | CSU-PUEBLO STUDENT BODY | 0 comments

I had the privilege of attending the Action 22 luncheon last Tuesday and listening to the three governor candidates (John Hickenlooper, Scott McInnis and Dan Maes) speak about what they would do and how they would alter the political landscape of Colorado. One of the recurring themes mentioned throughout the hour-plus long forum was jobs, mainly how to keep them and grow them.

One of the absent themes from the conversation was education.

I was appalled. I hope they know that education is a fundamental steppingstone to a productive jobs market. As we all know our K-12 education is in constant flux. We continually hear about teachers losing their jobs and about larger classroom sizes. Larger classrooms will ultimately equal lower graduation rates across the state.

The gubernatorial candidates need to get with it and talk about a viable solution to higher education issues. Constant raising of tuition 9 percent here and 9 percent there is not a realistic solution. Colorado is ranked 49th in the nation for higher education funding to our colleges and universities.

With the passage and signing of this year's Senate Bill 3, allowing unlimited tuition increases with approval of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, it may not be uncommon to hear of schools raising tuition 20 percent a year if the state does not prioritize the importance of college and university funding.

The candidates for governor need to realize that Colorado’s dedication to higher education is key to bringing high-tech, high-paying industries to the state. But for this to happen, they must first find a viable solution. Without it, Colorado higher education most likely will be privatized in the next 10 years.

I openly challenge all three candidates to start to address education, both K-12 and higher education, and get with the program, or the future of Colorado is in flux.