START FUNDING K-14 EDUCATION

A portrait of Megan Phelps.
Megan Phelps / the Advocate

An ice cream social was heavily advertised for Wednesday, but the real highlight on the Gresham campus May 8 was the passionate chanting of the MHCC community calling on the Oregon Legislature to better fund the educational system. 

Mt. Hood students, staff, and faculty gathered in the Main Mall for a rally organized by the Oregon Education Association (OEA) and the classified staff association at the college. 

Throughout the current legislative session in Salem, educators from K-12 public schools, on up to higher education institutions, have protested what they call inadequate funding provided by the state. The OEA started the campaign “Red for Ed” (wearing red clothes to show support) which has led strong advocacy within educational groups. 

May 8 was a special day for the campaign, as thousands of teachers and others gathered in prominent areas around the state in protest.

  • A banner states "Invest in Community Colleges" in the background with Cheryl facing the crowd speaking in a microphone. Two signs are visible. One says "fund community college" the other says "Teaching made your jobs possible."
    Mt. Hood full-time faculty union President Cheryl Johnson speaking during the rally on Wednesday, May 8 in the Main Mall on campus. (Photo by Maysee Thao / the Advocate)

There is light ahead for K-12 schools, since the state House of Representatives has passed House Bill 3427, or the “Student Success” funding package, which aims to increase business taxes in order to add $2 billion of new state revenue every two years, aimed at higher K-12 funding. 

The Senate must approve the bill before it can advance, however. And Republican lawmakers have not shown up at the Capitol to vote, as of Advocate press time on Thursday. Although Democrats hold a “super majority” in Salem this year, the process requires a minimum number of legislators to be present, so the vote has essentially been put on hold.

While both sides have viewpoints to express, we can’t sit around waiting for our representatives to come together to support our schools. It’s sad that we can’t come together on this common issue that needs to be addressed.

One concern voiced by Republicans is that the new tax bill would hurt small business owners. It’s important to note that the bill does have a tiered system in place to more fairly tax businesses, according to lawmakers (from both parties) who helped write it.

Specifically: The smallest businesses would be exempt from the new tax completely. Those earning between $150,000 and $1 million per year would pay a flat fee of $250, while the largest would pay a percentage of revenue, between .37 percent and .45 percent.

As the Advocate noted in an editorial published earlier this year, Oregon has a track record of chronically underfunding its education system. This bill could help assist in updating educational systems and supporting K-12 students at risk of dropping out of school. 

It’s also plain to see that community colleges are often overlooked when it comes to state funding. The legislative argument for not including higher education in the bill is because higher education can raise its own revenue by increasing tuition and fees. Indeed, MHCC has increased per-credit hour tuition by $31 since 2016. 

The fact of the matter is that community colleges like Mt. Hood support those Oregon residents who need it most. We offer the most affordable option to those seeking higher education. Secondary education also benefits the community because it provides a trained workforce, giving back to the community at large. Maybe the state needs to think about K-14, not just K-12. Additional education for job preparation helps the state increase revenue and supports citizens by allowing those who need it most to move up the economic ladder.

To emphasize the college’s benefits, Mt. Hood full-time faculty union President Cheryl Johnson took time during the rally to speak about various programs it offers, including forestry, dental hygiene, machine tools, and funeral services. With each program she listed its value to the community, and the infrastructure needs at MHCC to update programs for safety and workplace needs.

Nicki Belnap was a key voice on Wednesday. An OEA organizer, she’s been a key figure on campus to help organize students and staff to demand more state funding. Asked what we as a community can do to be involved, she said, “Do something: Whatever level you are most comfortable with, just do something. Don’t just be passive.” She said students can be active by contacting legislators, voting in elections, and staying motivated through grassroots methods. 

If you are a student or community member who wants to give the Legislature a piece of your mind, don’t be afraid to reach out to  representatives by viewing the interactive map on the legislature’s website which provides contact information for representatives throughout the state. It’s time for Oregon to invest in our collective future and hold the private sector accountable by paying its fair share of taxes.

Since it’s up to the Senate to pass the bill, here’s a list of Senators within Mt. Hood’s District.

Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River, District 26) Phone: 503-986-1726; Email: [email protected] 

Lew Frederick (D-Portland, District 22) Phone: 503-986-1722; Email: [email protected] 

Michael Dembrow (D-Portland, District 23) Phone: 503-986-1723; Email: [email protected] 

Shemia Fagan (D-Portland, District 24) Phone: 503-986-1724; Email: [email protected] 

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