Stimulus should fund mind-power

This week the U.S. Senate will be voting on its version of an economic stimulus package. It is truly paradoxical that the state Legislature is reducing funds to balance budgets in order to meet constitutional requirements, while Congress is moving to increase spending exponentially. Democrats have one plan emphasizing construction and government programs. Republicans want tax cuts and construction projects. I think both plans miss a critical point: We need to invest in the nation's mind-power.

In Utah, higher education faces the possible elimination of nearly 1,500 jobs. Approximately half of these jobs will be university faculty positions. These are jobs that help our citizens transform and upgrade their skills in order to compete in the information age.

Washington should do three things that would dramatically build our mind-power. First, we need an investment in student financial aid. The future of Utah depends on increasing the percentage of our population with some form of post-secondary education. There is a very high correlation between the percentage of state residents with some post-high school education and state income. The average wage for citizens with a baccalaureate degree is twice that of a high school diploma recipient.

Unfortunately, in recent years, Utah has fallen behind other states in college participation and graduation. A recession can be helpful in getting people educated and ready for a more robust economy.

The Senate is looking at a proposal to increase aid for needy students by only $281 per student. I urge our senators to increase this amount significantly for two reasons: Investing in people pays off for years to come, and it helps people who want to help themselves.

Utah college enrollment went up by 8.5 percent this past fall. When the numbers are made official, we anticipate expanded growth this winter. Our students need help. Investing in our students will keep faculty employed and improve our competitive standing. According to the University of Utah, every dollar invested in higher education translates to seven dollars put back into our economy. And — the benefit keeps giving!