KTRV Fox 12 ISU Capitol Protest

ISU Capitol Protest

Boise, Idaho -- Dozens of Idaho State University students gathered on the State Capitol steps Thursday saying that our higher education students are Idaho's future.  

Although there weren't hundreds there, they made sure their message was heard as they were speaking out about further budget cuts.

This week, the Idaho Joint Finace-Appropriations Committee proposed a state budget that cuts higher education spending by more than $32 million. 

"I had to get another job in order to cover the extra costs, and then also on top of that I have to stay another semester because the classes that I need to take aren't being offered," said ISU senior, Chris Cook.

"No more budget cuts! We're already poor!" the group chanted with signs in hand.

"'Go on after high school,' this is what they say, but they cut our budget.  How are we supposed to continue our education when they don't support us in doing so?" asked ISU school senate member, Matt Bloxham.

"It means that we have larger classes, and not as many classes offered, or that are available to us," said Cook. 

ISU students aren't the only ones affected.

"Not just ISU but BSU, LCSC, U of I -- we've all been let down by the state as our budgets continue to be cut that way," said Bloxham.

Students are saying with the cuts, they only have two choices -- get out of the higher education system or graduate with a higher debt load.

"We start to wonder are we ever going to be able to pay back these debts that we're incurring to receive our professional degrees?" said Bloxham.

Today was all about taking their voices inside the capitol.

"Fight for the future!  Fight for the future!  Fight for the future!" the group chanted while climbing the steps of the Statehouse.

"Cutting higher education hurts everyone in the state. It doesn't only hurt our pocket books, but it hurts the future of the state and the economy as a whole," said Bloxham.

Some legislators are standing behind them.

"We have to understand that our institutions of higher education are really economic drivers in this state," said Rep. Brian Cronin (D). "It's absolutely critical that we do not short change them, even during an economic recession."