Oklahoma budget cuts more than expected for higher education - Kathryn McNutt, Oklahoman

Shrinking state support for higher education is harming Oklahoma's future, college officials warn. “States that prosper are states that invest in education,” University of Central Oklahoma President Don Betz said. “The quality of life, the quality of economic development and the quality of education all go together.” The fiscal year 2017 state budget appropriates $810 million for higher education — $67 million less than the current budget, which is $112 million less than the previous year. Since 2008, state support for Oklahoma's 25 public colleges and universities has declined $241 million. State appropriations — half of higher education's total budget in 2007 — now make up 35 percent. http://newsok.com/article/5501086