Legislators Concerned About Too Much Money Going To UConn And Not CT State University

Two influential Democratic legislators said Thursday that they are concerned that the legislature might be prone to giving too much money to the University of Connecticut at the expense of the Connecticut State University system.

The issue came up during the daily hearings of the budget-writing appropriations committee, which on Thursday morning was analyzing the budgets of the Office of Higher Education, UConn, and the Board of Regents for Higher Education.

State Rep. Roberta Willis, a Litchfield County Democrat who is one of the most influential lawmakers on issues of higher education, said she is concerned that not enough money is going to the CSU system and the state’s community colleges.

“That is of great concern to me,” Willis said. “It is the wrong message.”

Rep. Toni Walker, the co-chairwoman of the powerful budget committee, agreed.

“I’m a graduate of the CSU system and very proud of it,” Walker said at the state Capitol complex. “We have a lot of colleagues asking: ‘What about our CSU system?’ What about our community colleges?’ We’re all one family, and we all have to share in this dream.”