Can Dewhurst get back community college funding?

Dewhurst is running for governor. There can be no doubt.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst called Wednesday for restoration of $154 million in funding for Texas community colleges that was vetoed last month by Gov. Rick Perry.

Mr. Dewhurst said he has asked the governor, legislative leaders and community college officials to try to reach an agreement on a plan that would allow the money to go to the state's 50 community college districts while addressing Mr. Perry's objections to the original appropriation.

Dewhurst channels Bush.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Wednesday that help was on the way for community colleges, including El Paso Community College, fearing big budget cuts after a veto by Gov. Rick Perry last month.

Didn't presidential candidate George W. Bush say 'help was on the way' to the military? We've seen how that worked out!

The cuts had an immediate negative effect on El Paso Community College.

EPCC officials have already imposed a hiring freeze and cut back on travel, and Candelas said staff and faculty have been asked to look for other ways to save money. "It's impacting many, many people, not just staff but students and student programs, because that money has to come from somewhere," he said.

This is scary.

Dewhurst said his office has been working with the governor's office and Speaker Tom Craddick's office to reach agreement on calling a meeting of the Legislative Budget Board, the budget office for state government, as early as September.

Both Craddick and Perry's offices issued statements favoring such a meeting.

"I agree that the issue of funding for community college health insurance is one that needs to be addressed in the near term," Craddick said in a prepared statement.

Why does 2007 feel just like an election year?

State leaders have bowed to pressure from border legislators and college presidents, among others, and will now look at ways of reinstating $154 million in community college funding vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry.