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Community‑college and adult‑education advocates warn of cuts and ask for restored operating aid
Summary
Representatives from Maricopa Community Colleges and adult‑education programs told the committee that operating aid for community colleges has been cut for more than a decade and urged restored or new funding (advocates asked for $6 million for adult‑education programs).
Maricopa Community Colleges and advocates for adult education and workforce programs urged the appropriations panel to restore long‑standing operating aid and to preserve funding for programs that train adults for work.
Lauren Armour, government relations director for Maricopa Community Colleges, told the committee that the institution has received $0 in formula operating aid for 11 years and that the budget would extend that to 12 years if the current package stands. She said operating aid is a stable pillar for community‑college operations and that project grants alone cannot sustain ongoing operations.
Nick Ponder, representing the Arizona Community College Coordinating Council, urged restoration or continuation of adult‑education funding and specifically said the coalition had requested $6,000,000 this year to support community‑college adult‑education programs that serve about 11,000 students annually. Ponder and members argued that the programs produce net savings to the state when participants move off public assistance into employment.
Members acknowledged the return on investment arguments but noted budget constraints and the negotiated nature of the package; leadership encouraged advocates to work with members and leadership on possible floor adjustments.
