Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

December 2020 Update

Photos and story by Sarah Rose Evans

This month we have been focused on preparing for the 2021 Oregon State Legislative Session. Although the revenue forecast was up last summer, the most recent forecast still projects the state as millions short of current service level (CSL) funding for all state agencies. In the Governor’s budget recommendation, she requested $640 million for Oregon’s community colleges. We are requesting $702 million, because that is our true CSL for the 2021-2023 biennium for all 17 community colleges.

Here are our priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session:

• $702 million for the CCSF. This level of funding is needed to prevent tuition increases of about 3.5%
• Oregon Opportunity Grant Request: increase by $22M to fund at least two-thirds of the students that apply.
• Special Legislation: Benefit Navigators on all public college campuses in Oregon

On December 21st, the Oregon State Legislature will go back into special session to address support for restaurants, rent moratorium extensions until 12/31/2020, and to expand eviction moratorium non-payment until 6/30/2021. As part of that work, we hope and expect our legislators to pass a bill that would protect institutions from being sued if the college or school district is following all CDC guidelines.

More to come in January related to lobby days and exciting new ways to get involved.

Thank you,

Emma