A tale of two chambers

According to their released spending targets for 2013, the Republican majority in the Iowa House of Representatives has proposed spending $35 million less on education compared to this year, while the Democrat majority in the Senate proposed increasing spending on education by $100 million.

According to Jeneane Beck, the State Relations Officer for the University of Northern Iowa, the House Republicans' proposed budget would mean $3 million less for UNI, while the Senate Democrats' proposed budget would mean an increase of $8 million. The Senate proposes a 6 percent increase for the three public universities and an additional $4 million special allocation for UNI.

"The two parties have different priorities. The House is concerned about state finances, and for starting points for negotiations, we understand that," Beck said. "We're optimistic that from here, we'll end up closer to the Senate side than to the House numbers."

The House Republicans also propose cutting UNI's economic development programs by 10 percent and allocating no new money to the governor's Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative, which focuses on STEM education.

State Representative Walt Rogers (R-Cedar Falls) said he supports the governor's STEM program.

"I think it's a great program," Rogers said. "Those are some things that I'll be talking within committees about the importance of STEM. Those things aren't fully voted on yet."

Rogers also acknowledged the differences the two parties have with one another.

"Republicans came out with what they think is going to be the best number (and) Democrats came out with what they think is going to be the best number. It's going to be a tug of war, and they (Democrats) put forth their values, and they come out with a number," Rogers said. "They (Democrats) think one way (and) we (Republicans) think one way, and that's what politics is all about."

Rogers said it is important to look at the whole picture in regards to budgeting.

"Everything is at play when you're looking at funding a certain part of the budget. What we put in education affects what we put into job growth. ... What we put into everything has an effect into everything else," Rogers said. "So all of us would like to see our education program thrive as much as possible. We have to weigh that position. How much is everything else going to get, and making sure that Iowans who are job creators at the same time know that we are being responsible with the budget. You have to look at the whole picture from the standpoint down here at the Capitol and what we do with budgets."

State Senator Jeff Danielson (D-Cedar Falls) said he's against lowering the budget for education and would instead like to see an increase.

"These cuts are unnecessary and draconian. Iowa's budget is black, and we have a healthy surplus," Danielson said. "I believe we should be investing in our future and opening up opportunity — not closing the door on those opportunities. This is the worst budget proposal ever, and I will do everything I can in the senate to make sure that UNI receives additional investment, not cuts."

According to a chart Danielson created, the house Republicans' proposal will cut $7 million from UNI and the senate Democrats' proposal will provide a $12 million increase for the university.

Danielson said that if the House Republicans' proposed budget passes, the university may need to make certain cuts and reductions that could lead to tuition increases for students, class cuts, increases in class sizes, an impact on athletic programs and the potential closing of Malcolm Price Laboratory School.

However, Rogers said he believes the gap between the two parties proposals isn't worrisome and quality education is not entirely reliant on funding.

"When you look at the enormity of the budget, the disparity isn't that much; $100 million may sound like a lot of money, but the education budget is a very large budget," Rogers said. "It comes down to making sure that we keep the people we have and not only do things with money, but do things with strategies and reform. It doesn't necessarily have to do with the money. Sometimes it has to do with — are we putting forth the best strategies for education?"

Overall, Beck said she's thankful both parties are paying attention to UNI's requests.

"We're not critical of either party," Beck said. "We're just hopeful that the number comes up, but we understand and are thankful that both parties are understanding of UNI's position of greater reliance on state funding because of the high number of in-state students and the reliance on in-state tuition, so most parties recognize that and we really appreciate that."

Beck encouraged people to get involved and contact legislators.

"We're also asking students, parents and alumni to get involved and explain what it means to them (and) why it's important for the university to have increased funding rather than a decrease," Beck said. "Talk about how that has impacted them personally, because citizens tend to have a greater impact on elected officials than someone like myself because they vote, so lawmakers want to hear from them."