Hide Article Text (OCR)
Jere Beasley should trim his own fat“Announcing his excellency, the governor.”Jere Beasley.Lt. Gov. Jere Beasley’s recent sponsor ship of a move to cut state apppropria-tions to Alabama’s institutions of higher learning (by 12 per cent) has been part of the best publicity the lieutenant governor has received in more than five years.It doesn’t hurt either to be labeled as the white knight—fighting nepotism, fund pigeon-holing and other assorted evils...especially if you have been con-H ' ChristyHudginsstructing machinery which could possibly lead to the governor’s chair in 1978.What does hurt, however, is that Beasley’s campaign means an appropriations cutback in education in the state which already holds. ^Jie distinction of ranking 49th in the nation.It may hurt students also because President Philpott has announced that ra-' ther than reduce the standards of Auburn University, fees would have to be raised. A tuition increase that could offset such a reduction would have to be substantial, perhaps beyond what some students can now afford—perhaps discouraging the college aspirations of incoming freshmen.The state woulctsuffer also. In addressing the subcommittee which unanimously approved the appropriation cuts, Philpott pointed out that a mediocre education does not serve the state. It does not produce superior teachers to upgrade the public schools. It does not produce skilled engineers to lure industry to the state, increasing the earnings of the people, thus causing a rise in the tax base for the support of education.Justification for the large cut in educational appropriations seems to be based on the assumption that the educational institutions have been demanding too much money and have been misusing the funds they have received. Auburn, however, lags behind the regional and national averages in salary scales and according to Philpott, the faculty and staff receive only the . \ amounts allowed by law for travel expenses—two areas in which Beasley has been particularly critical.Beasley’s assertions of “fat” in the budget may be true in some instances. The subcommittee may be sticking its nose into places that educators would rather they left alone...for example, a $15,#00 “unaccountable expense allowance” for the president at one college and possibilities of nepotism at some of the smaller junior colleges. Such practices should be investigated and eliminated. A budget cut, however, will never serve this purpose—only a thorough investigation and appropriate action will serve this end.While looking at the practices at Alabama’s educational institutions, perhaps some of that Montgomery “fat” should also be examined—the kind of fat that when well invested possibly brings political dividends.It is argued that the only duty of lieutenant governor is to preside over the Senate when it is in session, but Jere Beasley chooses .o stay full time with pay and the added reward of the publicity from an endeavor which he told The Birmingham News “is drawing popular support from all over the state. I don’t plan to let anybody stop it.”According to the News, he is drawing $364 per week as chairman of a subcommittee which was almost self-appointed. Even though the legislature is not in session, Beasley and each member of the sub-committee are earning full legislative pay.It is also interesting to note the 35-member Senate, during the last fiscal year, has worked up expenditures amounting to $50,000 more than the 105-member House. This can be contrasted with almost equal Senate-House expenditures in 1970, the year before Beasley took office.Why wasn’t the appropriations cut made during the budget hearings? And why weren’t the accusations of mishandling of funds also made at that time? Why were many schools surprised to receive as much as they did under the budget? How was it that copies of letters written by President Philpott expressing his pleasure concerning the budget made their way into the hands of Jere Beasley?Education in Alabama is a tale of long suffering inextricably bound with the state’s history. It could be a building block toward a better future for the people of Alabama. It is regrettable that such a valuable commodity is linked so closely to the mundane and self-seeking aspects of politics.
Newspaper Details
Auburn Plainsman
Auburn, Alabama, US
Thu, Feb 05, 1976
Page 13
Full Page
Clipped by
Hildy J.
USA 23 Aug 2024
Other Publications Near Auburn, Alabama
Auburn Plainsperson
Auburn Plainsman
Auburn Perverted Press
Auburn Painsman
Auburn Orange and Blue
