Universities on block for NC Legislature budget ax

[FBaggins]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina lawmakers will consider slashing the ranks of university professors and raising college tuition during the General Assembly session that begins Wednesday, overshadowed by a budget crisis that could eliminate some degree programs.

Republicans taking charge of the state's budget for the first time since 1898 are promising deep cuts to close a projected $3.7 billion gap. And the $2.7 billion total the state budgeted last year to run the University of North Carolina's 16 campuses isn't off limits, said expected Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham.

"For anyone to suggest that any part of the state budget is going to be immune from consideration for reductions, they're not looking at the situation in a realistic fashion," Berger said this week.

Some $620 million in state funds were cut in the past four years and mostly took a toll on administration, so further trims will be felt by students, said Jeff Davies, the UNC system's top operating officer.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-25/universities-on-block-for-nc-legislature-budget-ax.html

[unc70]

1. Those Repubs part of Fusionist alliance with Populists, other parties

A majority of those Republicans were Black, the Populists were mainly poor rural whites, and they were all outraged by the Democrats enabling of abuses by banks, railroads, mill owners, etc. who were making records profits while everyone was losing what little they had.

Sound familiar?