Most Americans, when polled, think that Higher education is receiving the same or more funding than it did in the past. But per pupil funding from the state is down 31% since 2001, and this is forcing public institutions to delay repairs, try to cut costs, and push higher tuition and fees on students who can ill afford them.

The Commission on Public Higher Education Finance issued a report in 2014 outlining this chronic underfunding, but our legislature hasn't taken major action. Every year, tiny increases in the state budget barely keep up for inflation, meanwhile students and educators pay the costs.