Attorney General Terry Goddard and Rep. Chad Campbell spoke to the Downtown Young Democrats on Monday about the importance of getting involved with the campaigns of candidates as the 2010 elections draws nearer.
Campbell, who represents the Downtown campus’ district, said this year’s expected budget cuts will impact students significantly due to Arizona’s budget deficit and less federal money being available for universities for the next school year.
“Tuition is going to continue to go up,” he said. “It’s going to lead to cuts in terms of your professors, cuts in terms of staff, cuts in terms of the classes and the courses that are offered – you’re going to see it across the board.”
Students can make a difference in government by getting involved in campaigns to get different people elected, said Campbell, who is seeking reelection.
“If you guys were to come down there in mass tomorrow, talk about protecting funding for universities, ‘Don’t cut our education,’ for 90 percent of people down there, you’re not going to even change their minds, and that’s just the honest situation,” he said. “Getting involved in the elections is the best way to go.”
Goddard, who said he will make his formal campaign announcement for governor at the end of this month, said there are some people in the Legislature that would like the universities to become privatized, specifically noting Sen. Russell Pearce, a Mesa Republican. Goddard said he would not let that happen as governor.
“There’s a public need for excellent universities,” he said. “I’m a graduate of ASU’s law school, I think it’s one of the great state institutions and I’m going to keep it as a state institution.”
Goddard also said ASU President Michael Crow’s vision of the New American University, which advocates giving access to education to more people at lower costs, is in trouble. He said he wants to help students by reducing the student-loan debt of graduates who go into public service, specifically law enforcement.
“That’s a kind of backdoor scholarship, if you will, and it’s one that I think could have some very, very positive impact,” he said.
Sarah Aagard, a political science sophomore, said Goddard and Campbell’s visit to the meeting was a call to action for Young Democrats.
“Now is the time,” she said. “We can’t wait until the summer. The campaigns are starting now, and they need our help now.”
The Young Democrats next guest speaker will be Andrei Cherny on March 8. Aagard said she thinks it’s great that Downtown Young Democrats President Joe Pettinato and Vice President Andres Cano are bringing in Democratic candidates for the 2010 elections.
“It’s really a learning experience for everyone here,” she said.
Contact the reporter at salvador.rodriguez@asu.edu
