Troy University News

Contact:
Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

Dr. Bronner urges TSU family to support higher education

   TThe CEO of the Retirement Systems of Alabama told Troy State University faculty, staff and students attending a Founders Day celebration Monday that they should support tax reform in order to prevent future proration of state education budgets.
    Dr. David Bronner said the refusal of Alabama’s leadership to support even slight increases in taxes has led to prorated budgets. He pointed out that Alabama’s tax burden is the lowest in the nation.
    "If we raised taxes to the level of the 49th state, Mississippi, then we would raise an additional $500 million a year in new funds," Dr. Bronner told more than 400 members of the TSU faculty, staff and student body in the Claudia Crosby Theater. "Don’t let anyone tell you that they are overtaxed."
    Alabama’s colleges and universities face the possibility of having to absorb the full weight of proration, as Montgomery Circuit Judge Tracy McCooey ruled last week that it is unconstitutional to cut K-12 funding. Gov. Don Siegelman and the members of the Alabama Legislature have been ordered by the judge to come up with a plan by Tuesday.
    "Within a day or two, all of Alabama’s universities will be saved or will fall into chaos," Dr. Bronner said.
    "Please make a commitment with me today," he added. "Please demand that our politicians fully fund K-12 and fully fund higher education."
    TSU’s Founders Day Celebration also included a special employee recognition program, with all employees with more than five years of service receiving pins. As part of the ceremony, all employees with more than 20 years of service were recognized individually and received their pins from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., TSU Chancellor.
    In closing remarks, Dr. Hawkins urged the members of the TSU family to help craft a solution to the state’s education funding problems.
    "On this day 114 years ago, the Alabama Legislature created this institution," Dr. Hawkins said. "Our fate is again in the Legislature’s hands today.
    "We need to exert leadership to produce a long-term solution for this state."
    Troy State University Founders Day is celebrated on Feb. 26 to coincide with the day in 1887 when Gov. Thomas Seay approved the act to create a normal school for education of teachers in Pike County. The school became Troy State Teachers College in 1927 and Troy State College in 1957 before achieving university status in 1967.