and higher education funding is back on the chopping block in Governor Murphy's proposed budget higher ed leaders from around the state testified before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today pleading once again for their combined $20 million in operating aid to be restored now similar cons to county colleges were proposed in last year's budget but were ultimately restored this year Governor Murphy has also proposed slashing money for financial aid programs including for the community college opportunity grants and summer tag programs which were entirely eliminated in this budget now those aid programs help many low to moderate income students complete their degrees that was according to several college presidents today members of the Senate committee on both sides of the aisle said they were alarmed by the proposed cuts especially after hearing testimony from presidents like Dr margaret McKennon president of UCJ that's Union College of Union County here's what she had to say we face many challenges in higher education today including a $13 million increase in our health care costs for community colleges ongoing inflation unprecedented federal policy and funding uncertainty and now a proposed state budget that would set us back to the funding level we last had in 2005 we ask you to at a minimum restore the $20 million in operating aid that was cut in the governor's proposed budget under the Dome is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting a private corporation funded by the American people