What Does Obama's Economic Plan Mean for CSCC?
February 12, 2009 by Douglas Gamble
Tomorrow, the much-discussed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 , better known as President Obama's Economic Stimulus Plan, makes its way into the House of Representatives and Senate for its final votes.
The bill plans to create and save jobs, spend more on researching alternative fuel, and "weatherize" Federal buildings, among other things.
The bill passed the original House vote by a count of 244-188. The Senate passed the bill with a 61-37 count, with one member not voting.
However, not everyone agrees with the bill. Republican politicians, most notably House and Senate members, seem to disagree with the bill and it’s estimated $789 billion price tag. In fact, 177 of the 188 House members against the bill , as well as all 37 Senate members against it, were Republican.
Also against the bill are over 200 economists, who sounded off in a full-page advertisement against the bill, which was ran in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal on Jan. 29. Since then, the bill have undergone many revisions, concessions, and proposed amendments.
But what does this have to do with Columbus State? The bill proposes an estimated $141.6 billion in educational investments, including $6 billion for the "modernization of higher education." $3.5 billion of that is planned to go toward community colleges, such as Columbus State. This $3.5 billion is slated to be given to colleges according to certain factors, ranging from need to how the money will be spent.
For example, a college asking for money to build a new structure would make sure the structure is both necessary and energy-efficient. Educational administrators could not be reached on how much, if any, of the funds Columbus State could be eligible for, but students sill had plenty to say on the topic.
“I think the bill will pass,” said Hannah Bezeredi, a two-year Columbus State student. “I don’t see any other option for the economy.” Students were unsure if the money would reach Columbus State, and some doubt it is even needed.
“There are a few things we could use the money for," said Jamar Griffin, a post-secondary Columbus State student, “but mostly (the campus) runs fine.”
Though Capitol Hill seems lit up with controversy over the bill’s provisions, its efficiency, even its legality, it seems that very little is actually known about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or what it means to Columbus State, let alone the rest of the country. Students will have to wait and see.
The bill has been revised, updated, trimmed, and conceded several times since it’s initial passing by the House and Senate, and concrete details about what the bill actually means are few. At this point, it is up to the men and women of the House and Senate to pass or reject the modified bill, and only time will tell what the results are.
When asked how she thinks the bill will affect the country, CSCC post-secondary student Cassy Frabott said, “I don’t know. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”