Browning hopes Salem is reasonable

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Blue Mountain Community College President Mark Browning is thinking ahead to the 2023 session of the Oregon Legislature that convenes next month. Browning said that while the state has healthy reserves, he’s afraid that lawmakers might react to a fear of what’s ahead economically when they build a budget for the biennium.

“I’m looking for reasonability,” he said. “I’m also looking for a recognition from Salem that community colleges are the economic drivers in their regions. Of the 17 that we have in this state, we’re all unique.”

Browning said that there are similarities among the state’s community colleges, but the differences make the difference to the communities they serve.

“Our ability to work within the region where we operate and to serve that region, we’re the best investment that a state public dollar can return,” he said. “It is time to recognize that the community colleges are efficient, that we return those dollars back to the public, and we’re putting the workforce out there. Invest in us because it will come back to you.”