Keep the GTEG
Investing in education always pays
by MICHAEL BARRY
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Opinion
Recently, I received an email informing me that the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant could be cut from next year's state budget. When I found out about this possible cut to financial aid, I wondered, why would the state cut such a program?
Georgia education is already suffering. Students are already having trouble remaining in school. Already, many are working part time or sometimes even full time jobs, while maintaining college enrollment, just to pay for their education.
Why would Georgia cut GTEG? In a nutshell, in Georgia the budget must be balanced every year. Unlike the federal government, we can't just print more money.
This means our legislators can only keep programs they know work.
Georgia legislators do take education seriously.
According to http://www.usgovernmentspending.com, Georgia will, between state and local budgets, spend approximately $30.9 billion on education in 2010.
That's nearly double that of any other expenditure listed.
Thus, the real issue is whether GTEG is truly benefitting education. I believe it is. The GTEG directly contributes to the financial aid of many of the students on this campus and in this state.
If you also believe GTEG is beneficial, I suggest you write or talk to your state representatives. Tell them that it's working. Otherwise, it could be cut.
Georgia education is already suffering. Students are already having trouble remaining in school. Already, many are working part time or sometimes even full time jobs, while maintaining college enrollment, just to pay for their education.
Why would Georgia cut GTEG? In a nutshell, in Georgia the budget must be balanced every year. Unlike the federal government, we can't just print more money.
This means our legislators can only keep programs they know work.
Georgia legislators do take education seriously.
According to http://www.usgovernmentspending.com, Georgia will, between state and local budgets, spend approximately $30.9 billion on education in 2010.
That's nearly double that of any other expenditure listed.
Thus, the real issue is whether GTEG is truly benefitting education. I believe it is. The GTEG directly contributes to the financial aid of many of the students on this campus and in this state.
If you also believe GTEG is beneficial, I suggest you write or talk to your state representatives. Tell them that it's working. Otherwise, it could be cut.
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