KOLD News 13 live, local and late breaking-Proposed UA budget cuts draw angry protest at Regents' meeting

Proposed UA budget cuts draw angry protest at Regents' meeting

By Jim Becker -- email
And Christopher Francis -- email

State regents heard angry words Thursday over proposed budget cuts at the University of Arizona.

"We cannot and will not stand for this," said UA student body president Tommy Bruce to applause.

Regents got an earful from students, business and community leaders who turned out at a meeting to condemn proposed state budget cuts.  The U of A stands to lose more than $100-million dollars alone, or about 40 percent of its budget.

Leaders in the medical and technology fields say a cut that big will hurt their industries, which depend on U of A grads.

"I think this is a momentous decision for the leaders of the State of Arizona," said Raytheon CEO Taylor Lawrence.  "Do they want to continue to attract high technology industries, like Raytheon to stay here? If they do, there has to be an investment in the infrastructure of education to assure that pipeline."

One regent called the budget cut proposals a form of revenge by the legislature against the policies of former governor Janet Napolitano.

University leaders are already dealing with budget and staff reductions on top of tuition hikes.

State lawmakers say no final decisions have been made yet.