Dear Commons Community,

Texas Governor Rick Perry dropped out of the race for the Republican presidential nomination today ahead of South Carolina’s primary election.

Perry addressed his decision to abandon his campaign at a press conference in North Charleston. He said he came to the conclusion that there was no longer a “viable path” forward in the contest and added that he knows when it’s “time to make a strategic retreat.”

“I ran for president because I love America,” he explained. “What’s broken in America is not out people. It’s our politics. And what we need in Washington is a government that’s humbler.”

Perry endorsed former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in the race for the Republican presidential nomination during his remarks.

Tony

Dear Commons Community,

Bill Clinton has given an interview to Esquire Magazine commenting on the current state of presidential politics and the upcoming election.  Among his statements in the interview:

“I think Barack Obama will be the next president. I think he will win. Because I think that whatever feelings the American people have about their own conditions and however much they may wish he had moved more quickly, I think that they will conclude that it takes a long time to get out of the kind of economic distress we were in… And I also think, based on what happened in 2008, that once he gets an opponent in the general election, I think except for Fox and the conservative outlets, the media will tilt back toward him. The coverage won’t be as anodyne and evenhanded as it has been.”

Regarding the Republican candidates:

“Neither one of them [Mitt Romney or Newt  Gingrich] can say what they believe to be true and get nominated. Romney’s still trying to figure out what he did as governor of Massachusetts.”

Good insights!

Tony

Dear Commons Community,

On Tuesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the New York State budget for next year.   Public higher education was not identified for any significant cuts or new funding.  The Professional Staff Congress (PSC) issued an email to its membership yesterday essentially verifying that the proposed budget is close to the amount that CUNY requested.  On the plus side, it appears that there will be funding for health insurance for adjunct faculty.   However, built into the request was also a scheduled increase in tuition.  Below is the PSC statement and a link to commentary by PSC President Barbara Bowen.

Tony

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PSC Statement on Proposed Budget for CUNY

The PSC is heartened to see that the Governor’s proposed budget for CUNY comes close to the amount CUNY has requested for CUNY senior colleges. It is about time Albany began to stabilize funding for CUNY. This crucial investment, however, is part of a budget plan that relies on a 30% increase in tuition over five years and leaves base aid for CUNY community colleges at its current reduced level. During the next few months, the PSC will work hard with the Legislature for a final budget that lifts that level of funding.

And we are happy to announce that the Governor’s proposed budget includes funding for adjunct health insurance, at CUNY’s request. Inclusion of the requested funds in the proposed budget is a major step in the process toward achieving permanent, equitable health insurance for CUNY adjuncts, and we thank the Executive Office. But the process is not yet complete. Now we must work with CUNY, the Legislature and the Governor’s office to ensure that the funding remains as part of the final budget. Thank you to the hundreds of PSC members who have fought for adjunct health equity for years—this victory is yours.

Read Barbara Bowen’s Statement.