On April 20, the Longview News-Journal warned of impending 12.5 percent state funding cuts for community colleges in the House budget bill. The Senate version cuts about 9 percent. Even that is a huge blow to the institutions that are the beginning of higher education for most Texans.

The presidents of three East Texas community colleges — Dr. William M. Holda, Kilgore College; Dr. Gregory Powell, Panola College; and Dr. Charles B. Florio, Northeast Texas Community College — are deeply concerned about the reduced level of funding.

They should be — and so should all East Texas businesses, governments and residents. These colleges are a linchpin in our economy and in fostering a better educated workforce. They are especially important in helping close the gap in education for minorities.

Consider these facts provided by the colleges:

Community colleges have a $13.1 billion annual impact on the state economy, accounting for 350,000 jobs and a savings of $276 million in health and public safety costs. Kilgore College, Panola College and Northeast Texas Community College add more than $116.2 million to the area's economy each year.

More than 500,000 students each year, including 78 percent of all minority college students in Texas, use affordable community colleges. Kilgore, Panola and Northeast Texas enrollment demographics show that 14.66 percent of the students are African-American, 5.04 percent Hispanic, .75 percent Asian, .48 percent American Indian, and 1.17 percent other. It is vital to Texas’ future that all residents have the opportunity to further their education, and these three colleges had a student enrollment growth of 17 percent last fall. The student demand is evident.

Students who pursue academic and technical programs at community colleges become the educated work force of tomorrow. They spur growth and prosperity in local economies. State and local governments benefit from economic development and the increased earning power that comes with higher education. One study indicates that for every $1 invested, community colleges return $18 to the state economy, including $3 in tax revenue.

Community college students realize a 26 percent annual return on their investment. For every $1 a student invests on an education at one of the three area community colleges, he or she will receive a cumulative $9.17 in higher future earnings over the next 30 years.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst clearly is aware of the importance of community colleges. The joint committee negotiating the differences between the House and Senate budgets needs to be encouraged to take the Senate’s high road. The committee needs to be reminded that it takes money to provide students programs and classes they need to enter the workforce. Community colleges must be able to respond quickly to local needs, such as work force training for economic development initiatives.

Our three East Texas community colleges are proof. Kilgore College provided pre-employment training for applicants for the Dana Corp., as well as training for AAON Coil Products, Inc.; Vertex RSI, and Universal Compression, Inc. Panola College provides customized continuing education training for law enforcement, medical personnel, manufacturing and other businesses. When Lowe's Distribution Center moved to the Mt. Pleasant area, NTCC held Spanish in the Workplace classes on-site. NTCC also provides customized continuing education training for Lone Star Steel, Texas Utilities, and Guaranty Bank.

To keep community colleges responsive to local needs, local governments, businesses and concerned residents should encourage the lieutenant governor to have to his committee appointees stand fast on limiting budget cuts.