Student Democrats blast higher education cuts
David de la Fuente, president of SMU's College Democrats, talks about possible cuts to higher education by the Texas Legislature at a rally in Austin.
By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz
The Austin American-Statesman
“Texas Republicans in the State House do not care about college students.”
So begins an online petition circulated by the Texas College Democrats. Leaders of the student group said at a news conference this morning at the state Capitol that the reason for such tough talk is that funding for higher education, including student financial aid, would be cut by hundreds of millions of dollars under proposed budget legislation.
More than 1,400 students at 60 colleges and universities signed the petition, said David de la Fuente, president of the College Democrats and a senior at Southern Methodist University. Students at private and public schools alike receive state financial aid.
“I can understand why these students are upset right now,” said state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, who participated in the news conference.
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