New Democrat Update - March 2005
OPENING UP COLLEGE
State Rep. and House Caucus Chairwoman Angie Paccione is pushing a critical solution that will restore upward mobility to thousands of Coloradans, while boosting the state’s future economic strength. Her proposal will make college much more affordable through a state tax credit of up to $1,500 a year for the first two years and up to $2,000 a year for the final two years of undergraduate education, graduate school or community college retraining.
The Fort Collins legislator’s proposal is critical because higher education is the sure-fire ticket to opportunity in the 21st century. The differences between a college and high school education are startling - and growing. Aside from the social benefits of a well-rounded education, college graduates earn $900,000 more over a lifetime than those with high school diplomas.
The state’s fiscal crisis has led to rapidly rising tuition rates which, along with dwindling financial aid packages, are pricing many families out of the market. That’s why over 60 percent of the state’s ninth graders do not ever attend college. Annual double-digit tuition hikes at Colorado schools have become much more the norm than the exception.
The squeeze on middle-class families is especially acute. Their incomes are often too large to get substantial financial aid but too small to pay the ever-growing cost of college. They simply cannot afford to go. According to one report, a stunning 71 percent of Americans believe that “a four-year college education is not affordable.” Sixty-five percent list the cost of a college education as a top concern.
Unfortunately, it is expected to only get worse. Eighteen years from now, it is estimated that those annual costs will rise to $50,000 at public universities and more than $250,000 at private schools.
Too many students, who are admitted, are not graduating. Almost half of college freshman wind up never getting a degree. Once again, the lack of funds is a major factor, especially among minority students. Paccione’s tax credit is especially needed here because the state’s college attendance and graduation rates are significantly below the national average.
Her proposal is a great example of activist government that empowers people to solve their own problems - without the bureaucracy. Non-bureaucratic activist government, is not only possible but essential - not only plausible, but principled. Here are three suggestions on how to make this great legislation even better.
First, new tax benefits can fuel tuition inflation which not only undermines the value for those qualified, but also makes college expensive for everyone else. Consequently, the credit should be targeted to only in-state public universities, community colleges and occupational schools whose tuition rates are publicly accountable to the governor and legislature.
As the legislation now stands, students at the University of Denver, Regis College and Colorado College can also receive the tax credit, which could put some upward pressure on tuitions at those schools. As a result, eligibility should be narrowed only to the public institutions.
Second, students receiving the credit should be required to give something back in the form of community service performed before, during and after college. That change would reflect the successful mutual obligation ethic of the GI Bill, while encouraging young people to become better citizens. It would also prevent this help from being viewed as just another government entitlement.
Third, the tax credit should be made “refundable” (if the credit exceeds the tax owed, the difference would be provided to the taxpayer) so that low-income families owing no income tax can still meaningfully participate. This way, those aspiring college students, who need it most, will also get the necessary help.
Paccione’s proposal offers an exciting opportunity to help reverse the infamous “Colorado Paradox” - a state with a high percentage of college graduates from elsewhere, but very few of its own homegrown products. The legislature and governor should agree.
STRAIGHTENING OUT HOMELAND SECURITY
When the tragedy of September 11th occurred, the general public had cause to believe that the era of “politics as usual,” was over - especially when it came to people’s personal safety. No longer would elected officials play politics or procrastinate on issues that literally deal with matters of life and death.
Unfortunately, now more than three years after that tragic day, the world of state politics has not changed nearly enough. Colorado still remains largely unprepared for a terrorist attack. Although the state has received $137 million in federal funding over the last three years, it has spent less than half of it. Nearly $87 million has not been passed along to first responders - police, firefighters and other emergency personnel.
Critical infrastructure - dams, water systems, food supply facilities, utility stations, and the like - still do not have adequate security protections. Surveillance cameras and concrete barriers at vulnerable locations have yet to be put in place. In event of an attack or a disaster like Columbine, police and fire personnel will probably still not be able to talk to each other because the state has not made compatible radio systems a reality.
The ball has even been dropped on those tasks that require little, if any, money. State government still has no idea about the emergency-response capabilities of local police, sheriff, fire and medical service departments around Colorado. If (when?) disaster strikes, state officials will be in no position to know which departments could help where.
Holding someone accountable for all this has become virtually impossible. No single person or agency is responsible - the duties of homeland security have been split among the health, public safety and local affairs departments. Another significant hurdle is a law, passed two years, that keeps much of the state’s homeland security activities secret.
State homeland security can be done right - look no farther than Arizona. There, Gov. Janet Napolitano is implementing a new statewide 2-1-1 phone system and website that acts as a centralized source for information on disaster relief and emergency response.
In addition to upgrading communications systems for first responders, her administration has established mutual aid agreements between local jurisdictions so they can more effectively share personnel and equipment in responding to major crises. It is also helping to integrate the data systems of federal, state, local and tribal police, corrections authorities, and courts to more effectively identify trends that could point to threats to public safety. To cope with potential bio-terrorist threats, the Arizona Department of Health has implemented an instant information exchange system with hospitals and other health care institutions to track suspicious symptoms or diseases.
Not surprisingly, the federal government has praised Arizona for its strong leadership at the top and thoughtful strategic thinking. In sharp contrast with Colorado’s floundering efforts, the Napolitano administration has thoughtfully set priorities, determined what it wants to do and is getting all of it done effectively.
Thankfully, State Sen. Dan Grossman is working hard to make sure that the state’s homeland security efforts will eventually truly protect Coloradans. He is sponsoring legislation that carefully considers the public’s need-to-know about homeland security, while still not disclosing information that could be helpful to potential terrorists. He is also heading up a special bipartisan legislative committee that will recommend improvements.
That work cannot get done soon enough.