House Speaker Republican David Ralston told the AJC he doesn't think university cuts will be that bad and 4-H won't end. (photo: Georgia House of Representatives)
Earlier this week, the Board of Regents presented lawmakers with a plan to cut $300 million from the University System which included slashing 4-H programs and laying off thousands of faculty and staff, and capping enrollment.
That incited protests from students and parents fearing tuition increases and program cuts.
According to the AJC, Ralston says he thinks $300 million is too much and he doesn't know where the figure came from.
"I don't know who came up with $300 million," says Ralston. "The House of Representatives hasn't taken a position on $300 million, hasn't talked about it. And I'm very optimistic we're not going to have to go there."
The AJC reports that the $300 million dollar figure came from a Feb. 24 budget hearing when Senator Seth Harp, Chairman of the Senate's higher education budget subcommittee told the head of the Board of Regents Chancellor Earl Davis that the Regents needed to find an additonal $200 - $300 million in University System cuts. As the meeting wore on, $300 million became the working number.
The colleges released plans to reduce their budgets Monday that included eliminating 4-H programs.
Ralston says that won't happen. "I am committed to preserving the 4-H program in Georgia. That, and many of these otehr programs that have been suggested, they're about the future of the state."
Ralston's comments come after Governor Sonny Perdue slammed lawmakers for using "scare tactics" over college cuts.
