OK, guys. The 2016 election is — finally — over, which means we now have to get to the real work at hand.
No crying because your candidate lost. No sinking into a state of despair because all hope is lost and we just set our country back about 50 years and counting. (Oh, God. What have we done?)
No. None of that. Amendment No. 2 on the Louisiana ballot failed and the Grad Act officially expires after this year, which means colleges and universities cannot raise tuition without two-thirds legislative approval. On the surface, we did well.
Now, we have to act. This amendment failing only works if our state Legislature increases revenue for higher education, which means tax increases.
Stay with me. I know proposing to increase taxes is sinful in this state, but we literally have no other choice unless we want universities to shut down. Every department except higher education and health care is protected by Louisiana’s constitution, meaning we cannot shift funding from other areas to cover higher education’s shortfall, nor can we decrease funding in other departments.
We have no more “waste, fraud and abuse” to get rid of in Louisiana’s budget. Our state is down to its skeleton when it comes to funding public goods and services. We have to increase taxes now.
While no one likes higher taxes, our schools will not be open next year without this action. The legislative session begins April 10 at noon and ends June 8. Lawmakers have roughly two months to save higher education, and this session they are allowed to pass legislation on revenue and taxes. We have to pressure them at every opportunity to do so.
Whether we raise taxes or two-thirds of the legislature approves tuition raises, you and your family are going to feel some sort of financial effects. If we spread the cost of higher education to everyone, the effects will be far less severe. If not, then I hope your parents can fork over another $1,000 to the University.
We don’t have the luxury of being complacent anymore. We have far too much at stake, and education is only the beginning. The time for action is now.
Don’t just tweet at your representatives. Don’t make angry comments on Facebook. Call them. Write them letters. Organize and march the Capitol every day to make your voice heard. You don’t have to wait until April. Let your representatives know right now how you feel and what you want done. Don’t give them the time or space to ignore our needs.
If not, don’t be surprised when your program is cut. Don’t be upset when your classroom is falling apart. And don’t act like you don’t understand when universities begin to close.
Cody Sibley is a 20-year-old mass communication junior from Opelousas, Louisiana.