Our friends at the Democratic Party of Virginia issued this press release last week, highlighting Bob's lack of support for higher education over the years and McDonnell's 2001 vote to slap an $8 million dollar tax increase on college students. Check it out...
MCDONNELL'S RECORD: "NAY" ON HIGHER EDUCATION
When Bob had the chance, he chose to vote against supporting higher education
RICHMOND- Bob McDonnell addressed the Grow By Degrees Summit to talk about the importance of higher education, his remarks likely didn't mention that he passed on an opportunity to vote for a landmark investment in higher education.
McDonnell acts as though higher education is a priority of his, but not only did Bob vote against investing in higher education, he voted in favor of adding a per credit hour "tax" on college students to raise funds for college campuses.
"It's about time Bob McDonnell started talking straight about his record and his plan for public education in Virginia," said DPVA spokesperson Allison Jaslow. "Not only does McDonnell work hard to hide his lack of support in the past, but he conveniently forgets to mention that his vision for the future entails draining $5.4 billion from public education and other priorities to pay for roads."
There's more below the fold!
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McDonnell Voted Against the 2004 Budget, that Included $275 Million for Additional Higher Education Funding, and $175 Million for 'Base Adequacy'. In May 2004, the General Assembly ended "a remarkable standoff that lasted 115 days" and led to "sweeping new investments in education, mental health care and public safety, answering the pleas of teachers and local government officials who urged the state to fundamentally change its policies on taxes and spending." One of the budget highlights included increased "state support for public colleges by more than 10 percent, reversing three consecutive years of cuts that forced institutions to increase tuition rates and reduce course offerings." The funding for colleges included "$275 million in new funding, including $175 million for 'base adequacy' needs tied to enrollment growth and basic academic program costs," and increased "tuition assistance grants to students at private universities to $2,500 for undergraduates and $1,900 for graduate students." (The Roanoke Times, 05/08/04)
Higher Education Funding Was the 2nd Largest Increase in the Nation-Colleges & Universities in Virginia Called "Big Winners". The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that the additional funding for Higher Education in 2004 was the second largest increase in college and university funding in the nation. The Richmond Times Dispatch said that colleges and universities were "big winners in the Warner-era tax fight." (Chronicle of Higher Education, 12/17/04; Grapevine Survey of State Higher Education Tax Appropriations for Fiscal year 2005, 3/2005
Bob McDonnell, in 2001, voted "to generate funds for repairs on college campuses by slapping an extra dollar on each credit-hour taken by students." One delegate called raising funds in this manner "an $8 million tax on college kids." Creigh Deeds voted against these fees.
Bob McDonnell, on February 8, 2001, voted to pass amendments to HB1600 to impose $1.00 per credit hour fees on students at:
* Christopher Newport University (Amendment 165 #3h);
* Richard Bland College (Amendment 173 #3h);
* George Mason University (Amendment 179 #3h);
* James Madison University (Amendment 183 #3h);
* Longwood College (Amendment 187 #3h);
* Mary Washington College (Amendment 191 #3h);
* Old Dominion University (Amendment 201 #3h);
* Radford University (Amendment 205 #3h);
* University of Virginia (Amendment 210 #3h);
* University Of Virginia's College At Wise (Amendment 218 #2h);
* Virginia Commonwealth University (Amendment 222 #3h);
* Virginia Community College System (Amendment 227 #3h);
* Virginia Military Institute (Amendment 234 #2h);
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Amendment 239 #3h); and
* Virginia State University (Amendment 244 #3h).
Many Democrats opposed this effort "to generate funds for repairs on college campuses by slapping an extra dollar on each credit-hour taken by students. 'We are imposing an $8 million tax on college kids- one dollar at a time, one course at a time,' [Delegate Barnie] Day argued." (Richmond Times Dispatch, 02/09/01)
