Local opinion: Proposition 430 would invest $250 million in Pima Community College

Twenty-six years ago, after being blessed to be able to retire early from a business career at the age of 50, I made a momentous decision: I enrolled at Pima Community College. I had decided that I needed a second act, and the best way to get that was through the opportunities presented to me at our community college that takes all comers as they are: young or old, poor or rich, academically advanced or not, degree-seeking or blue-collar career skills needed. Little did I know that six years later, after going on to gain my education degree at the UA, I would be helping 1st generation students at Catalina High School take those same steps.

This Nov. 6, you will have the chance to make those opportunities that changed the lives of my students and myself even stronger by voting yes on Proposition 430. In 2009, Arizona ceased state funding for PCC’s capital expenses. Regular operational funding was reduced to zero in 2015. This created a cumulative loss of $221 million in state aid.

The approval of Proposition 430 would raise $250 million to expand training capacity for critical programs, including Information Technology, First Responders, and the College’s new baccalaureate program in Teacher Education. It would help to modernize infrastructure dating back to the 1970s. It would also save taxpayer dollars by refinancing existing debt, freeing up nearly $4 million annually for program support.

This newspaper is filled daily with articles lamenting the need for skilled workers in high-demand fields like healthcare, public safety, construction, information technology, cybersecurity, and more. Pima Community College provides both certificates and degrees in all these areas. The next time you are at your doctor’s office, or the dentist, or (hopefully not often) dealing with emergency room visits or first responder situations, ask how many of them got their training at PCC.

Approval of Proposition 430 would enable PCC to complete such projects as a First Responder Center of Excellence at the East Campus (PCC is one of two community colleges in the nation training EMTs for the USAF), create an Arts Center of Excellence at the West Campus, expansion of the IT and Cyber programs with a COE at the Desert Vista Campus, establish a new Campus Police and Safety Facility at the Downtown Campus, and create a one-stop Student Support and Success Center, also at the Downtown Campus.

Just a few more factors to consider when you cast your vote for Proposition 430. According to a recent economic impact study, PCC contributes $1.3 billion annually to our community in terms of increased wages and spending by its graduates and supports the creation and sustaining of over 16,000 local jobs.

I will end my plea with this, as a former member of the PCC Governing Board, one of my most gratifying rewards was to help preside over the graduation ceremonies. Every one of them in the six years I served included a call from the audience of “that’s my mom!” as a student who was a single mother gaining workforce skills walked across that stage at the TCC. It’s up to you, Pima County voters. Keep those cries of “that’s my mom, my son, my employee” going strong. Vote Yes on Proposition 430.