Gazette opinion: Higher ed investment in economy

The state’s top economic development official, Dave Gibson, and Montana’s chief of higher education, Sheila Stearns, are leading a collaboration to boost both business and education.

The close relationship between economic prosperity and educational attainment is well documented, yet often overlooked. The Board of Regents and the governor’s office have put a priority on highlighting that critical connection. The planning effort is admirable, the public awareness efforts essential. Many good ideas have been contributed, judging from the proposals being refined by the shared leadership group.

However, the greatest challenge for good ideas in state government is implementing them. And that will take both uncommon cooperation of public and private sectors, rare bipartisan support in the Legislature and tremendous determination from all the above to resolve long-running funding issues with Montana’s higher education system. Coordination with other economic development initiatives, such as Montana on the Move, could also pay dividends.

Setting a new course

Gibson summarized the purpose for a group of several dozen Billings people who filled a storefront meeting room last week at Montana State University-Billings’ new downtown campus: "Develop a course of action by which the University System (two-year and four-year) can coordinate more efficiently with the executive and legislative branches, our congressional delegation, the K-12 educational system and the business community to improve Montana’s economy and create more good-paying jobs for our citizens."

It was good to see several legislators and candidates at the "conversation." Lawmakers play a key role because they control how much state money goes to education. Comments from legislators last week were a bracing dose of reality. Sen. John Bohlinger recounted his unsuccessful effort in 2003 to enact a sales tax that would have provided funding for education and human services. Sen. Royal Johnson said Bohlinger’s sales tax idea might make the education/economic plans feasible, but he warned: "Without new money in state government, you people in the University System will lose more money next year." Rep. Kim Gillan said education has been getting short shrift from state government in recent years.

More money needed

Some parts of the strategic plan are beyond argument. For example, 21 different public higher education institutions in Montana are doing their own thing with distance learning. As Gibson pointed out, this doesn’t help potential students find what they want and fails to bring consistent quality to online college education. Perhaps experts at MSU-Billings, which is already a leader in distance learning, can spearhead a statewide upgrade.

The Board of Regents has made a strong commitment to taking a more active role in working with the governor’s office and Legislature to advance the state’s economy. But it’s going to need money.

We know this investment will pay off. Higher education increases a worker’s earning potential and satisfies growing demand for skilled workers. Education builds the people who build the economy.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/08/01/build/opinion/30-gaz-op.inc

Learn more

Information on the "Shared Leadership for a Stronger Montana Economy" is at the Board of Regent’s Web site: http://www.montana.edu/wwwbor/SharedLeadInfo.htm.

Information also is available from program coordinator Bob Person, , phone (406) 444-0323 in Helena.