Last modified: Tuesday, April 3, 2007 10:26 AM PDT Higher education deserves state funding Now is the time for lawmakers in Oregon to adopt a more realistic, holistic approach to budget issues regarding higher education. Especially regarding funding for community colleges, the state legislature has an obligation to find innovative methods to create a stable funding platform. News last week that community colleges in Oregon would not reach a baseline funding goal set by Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski was especially troubling. Also, money for construction for community colleges was slashed significantly. The co-chairs of the Legislature's Joint Ways and Means Committee set the funding priorities. As far as making choices, the co-chairs did a good job. Now, though, those choices should be debated vigorously not only by Eastern Oregon's legislative delegation but by all of the state's elected leaders in the Legislature. Community colleges deserve a realistic funding source. The state continues to pour billions into K-through-12 education with hardly batting an eye. However, when it comes down to higher education, apparently the commitment from many lawmakers simply isn't there. That's unfortunate and something taxpayers in this state should ponder. While results from spending with K-through-12 can sometimes are ambiguous, higher education consistently delivers in this state. It is past time for Oregon to invest wisely in higher education, including community colleges.