Today, Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price will be traveling to the University of Iowa to discuss with students how Governor Reynolds’ wasteful corporate giveaways have come at the expense of funding for higher education, shortchanging a generation of Iowans.
By 2025, 68 percent of all Iowa jobs are expected to require education and training beyond high school, yet higher education funding is being slashed and putting 21st century job skills further out of reach for working Iowans.
Despite this, Governor Reynolds has cut funding for regent universities and community colleges by over $30 million in the past two years. This has forced the Iowa regents to raise tuition by 4 percent, increasing the already high burden of student debt.
Iowa is one of the only states in the nation without a dedicated financial assistance program for public university students, and is dead last in the nation with the percent of student aid funding provided for low-income students. Over 65 percent of students graduate with debt from college, ranking Iowa eight highest in the nation.
Students deserve a governor who is prioritizing their education over corporations, and it is clear that Governor Reynolds is not that person.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
WHO: IDP Chair Troy Price, University of Iowa Students
WHAT: Education Cuts Round Table
WHEN: Thursday, October 4, 1:15 PM
WHERE: IMU, Room 351, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA