Cutting Spending for Higher Education

Here are a few suggestions for cutting spending for higher education:

• offer more online and hybrid classes
• privatize on-campus housing
• require athletic programs and student organizations to be self-funding
• cut the number of administrators
• eliminate degree programs and classes in subjects like women’s studies, multicultural studies, environmental studies
• require full-time university faculty to teach more classes (Full-time faculty at community colleges teach five classes per semester, at four-year colleges four classes, and at universities three or fewer classes.)
• hire more adjuncts and fewer full-time faculty
• charge students more if they repeat a class they’ve failed
• charge tuition for developmental classes to the school districts where the students attended but didn’t learn to read, write, or do math

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Perlmutter Watch 8-16-09: Earmarks

OpenSecrets.org, a project of the Center for Responsive Politics, has added information on earmarks requested by members of Congress in both houses provided by Taxpayers for Common Sense.  The data, which is available for FY 08 and FY 09 can be viewed and sorted in several different ways.

Here is the summary information for my representative, Ed Perlmutter (D, CO-7):

	No. of Earmarks	Total Cost	Solo	Total Solo
FY 08	20	$24,361,825	6	$2,991,600
FY 09	17	$16,020,875	6	$3,715,125
Both years	37	$40,382,700	12	$6,706,725

For details for each fiscal year, including contributions from recipients of earmarks, go here.

Summary of Stimulus Projects Requested for Colorado

The last few days, I’ve been posting the stimulus projects requested for different cities and towns in Colorado as listed on Stimulus Watch.  The following table summarizes the information:

City/Town	Cost of Projects	Number of Projects	Approximate Population	Cost per Person	Number of Jobs	Cost per Job
Arvada	$4,600,000	4	106,000	$43	*	?
Aurora	$50,000,000	1	310,000	$161	2,000	$25,000
Boulder	$52,547,000	9	92,000	$571	1,259	$41,737
Colorado Springs	$1,333,988,000	69	380,000	$3,510	2,797	$476,935
Denver	$341,850,000	24	570,000	$600	2,612	$136,087
Durango	$65,870,000	11	17,000	$3,875	6,585	$10,003
Englewood	$16,254,500	24	33,000	$493	309	$52,603
Greeley	$78,900,860	9	93,000	$848	*	?
Lakewood	$1,460,000	9	140,000	$10	117	$12,478
Merino	$4,734,000	2	300	$15,780	473	$10,000
Rico	$10,000,000	1	250	$40,000	200	$50,000
Thornton	$487,717,676	38	120,000	$4,064	4,961	$98,310
COLORADO	$2,447,922,036	201	5,000,000	$489	21,313	$114,855

* The number of jobs was listed as 0.

Stimulus Projects Requested for Thornton, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Merino and Rico.  Thirty-eight projects, totaling $487,717,676 (about $4,064 per person* in the city), have been submitted for Thornton:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-21-09)
Colo Blvd: 91st to I-76	Thornton	CO	600	$60,000,000	Streets/Roads	2
84th Avenue/I-25 Interchange	Thornton	CO	250	$25,000,000	Streets/Roads	24
Colo blvd: 144th to HW-7	Thornton	CO	250	$25,000,000	Streets/Roads	16
128th Avenue Interchange at I-25	Thornton	CO	210	$21,000,000	Streets/Roads	96
Quebec Improvements to HW-7	Thornton	CO	180	$18,000,000	Streets/Roads	47
104th Ave: Colo Blvd to Platte River	Thornton	CO	160	$16,000,000	Streets/Roads	12
Quebec Interchange at E-470	Thornton	CO	160	$16,000,000	Streets/Roads	34
144th Ave: Wash to UPRR	Thornton	CO	125	$12,500,000	Streets/Roads	8
Holly Street: 144th to HW-7	Thornton	CO	120	$12,000,000	Streets/Roads	40
Washington St widen over E-470	Thornton	CO	110	$11,000,000	Streets/Roads	-4
144th Ave: UPRR to Colo Blvd	Thornton	CO	97	$9,700,000	Streets/Roads	11
Mustang Run Drainage	Thornton	CO	80	$8,000,000	Streets/Roads	-7
Holly Street: 123rd to 128th	Thornton	CO	62	$6,200,000	Streets/Roads	9
144th Ave: Colo to Holly	Thornton	CO	60	$6,000,000	Streets/Roads	31
152nd Ave: Colorado to Holly	Thornton	CO	60	$6,000,000	Streets/Roads	8
Sack Creek Drainage Phase 2	Thornton	CO	60	$6,000,000	Streets/Roads	-6
Shay Ditch Drainage	Thornton	CO	60	$6,000,000	Streets/Roads	-10
136th Ave: Cherry to Holly	Thornton	CO	28	$2,800,000	Streets/Roads	13
128th Ave: Washington to I-25	Thornton	CO	20	$2,020,000	Streets/Roads	44
Washington St Bridge at 153rd	Thornton	CO	16	$1,600,000	Streets/Roads	-2
Washington St Bridge at 160th	Thornton	CO	16	$1,600,000	Streets/Roads	-2
Wheeling Plan Implementation	Thornton	CO	677	$67,773,000	Water	-20
West Sprat Expansion	Thornton	CO	260	$26,000,000	Water	-14
Water Treatment Plant Expansion	Thornton	CO	225	$22,500,000	Water	6
Raw Water return pipeline and pump	Thornton	CO	170	$17,000,000	Water	-4
Zone One Potable Waterline	Thornton	CO	100	$10,200,000	Water	2
Biological Nitrate Removal Facility	Thornton	CO	95	$9,500,000	Water	-5
Big Dry Creek Parallel Sewer	Thornton	CO	30	$3,000,000	Water	0
Carpenter Rec Center/Thornton Trail Winds Park & Open Space	Thornton	CO	80	$8,000,000	CDBG	-18
Local Street Rehabilitation	Thornton	CO	16	$1,650,000	CDBG	8
Streetscape Improvements	Thornton	CO	8	$800,000	CDBG	-16
Park Village Pool Rehabilitation	Thornton	CO	10	$389,000	CDBG	-33
City Building energy efficiency improvements	Thornton	CO	10	$1,006,190	Energy	-1
Fire Station #5	Thornton	CO	60	$6,000,000	Public Safety	23
High Density Housing Crime Prevention/Enforcement Unit	Thornton	CO	4	$1,065,500	Public Safety	0
K-9 (canine) Team	Thornton	CO	1	$306,986	Public Safety	-23
Crime Analyst	Thornton	CO	1	$107,000	Public Safety	-15
Grade Separation at 136th Ave/York/North Metro Rail Line	Thornton	CO	490	$40,000,000	Transit	6

* The population of Thornton is about 120,000.

Stimulus Projects Requested for Merino and Rico, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Lakewood.  Two projects, totaling $4,734,000 (about $15,780 per person* in the town), have been submitted for Merino:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-20-09)
Wastewater Collection Treatment System Improvements	Merino	CO	313	$3,134,000	Water	11
Water System Improvements, New Well and Distribution Lines	Merino	CO	160	$1,600,000	Water	2

* The population of Merino is about 300.

One project, totaling $10,000,000 (about $40,000 per person* in the town), has been submitted for Rico:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-20-09)
Waste Water Improvement	Rico	CO	200	$10,000,000	Water	13

* The population of Rico is about 250.

Stimulus Projects Requested for Lakewood, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Greeley.  Nine projects, totaling $1,460,000 (about $10 per person* in the city), have been submitted for Lakewood:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-19-09)
Garrison Street, Alameda Avenue to Jewell Avenue – Repair of curb, gutter, sidewalk, asphalt overlay of pavement, in laid long life striping	Lakewood	CO	20	$900,000	Streets/Roads	-6
Kipling St and Wesley Ave – Guard rail installation	Lakewood	CO	15	$35,000	Streets/Roads	-1
Kentucky over Weir Gulch – Install bridge railing	Lakewood	CO	15	$25,000	Streets/Roads	4
Estes Street over Bear Creek – Upgrade bridge railing	Lakewood	CO	15	$20,000	Streets/Roads	-6
Jewell Ave between Union and Kipling – Upgrade guard rail	Lakewood	CO	12	$10,000	Streets/Roads	-7
Linda Vista Dr and Nelson Ct – Upgrade guard rail, both sides	Lakewood	CO	12	$10,000	Streets/Roads	-2
Linda Vista Dr and Newcombe Wy – Upgrade guard rail, both sides	Lakewood	CO	12	$10,000	Streets/Roads	-3
Clements Community Center – Roof Replacement	Lakewood	CO	10	$250,000	CDBG	-12
Clements Community Center – HVAC System Replacement	Lakewood	CO	6	$200,000	CDBG	-13

* The population of Lakewood is about 140,000.

Stimulus Projects Requested for Greeley, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Englewood.  Nine projects, totaling $78,900,860 (about $848 per person* in the city), have been submitted for Greeley:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-18-09)
20th St from 71st to 83rd Ave widening	Greeley	CO	0	$5,168,180	Streets/Roads	-23
9th and 10th Streets at 23rd Ave reconstruction	Greeley	CO	0	$3,100,000	Streets/Roads	-3
North 11th Ave from 2nd to D St widening	Greeley	CO	0	$2,251,720	Streets/Roads	-9
23rd Ave and 4th St intersection reconstruction	Greeley	CO	0	$1,611,360	Streets/Roads	-10
Bellvue transmission pipeline	Greeley	CO	0	$37,609,900	Water	-25
Ammonia removal project	Greeley	CO	0	$3,677,700	Water	-7
Public Safety/Government Training Facility	Greeley	CO	0	$17,373,000	Public Safety	-52
Fire Station No. 2 replacement	Greeley	CO	0	$4,228,740	Public Safety	-13
Fire Station No. 3 replacement	Greeley	CO	0	$3,880,260	Public Safety	-13

* The population of Greeley is about 93,000.

Stimulus Projects Requested for Englewood, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Durango.  Twenty-four projects, totaling $16,254,500 (about $493 per person* in the city), have been submitted for Englewood:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-17-09)
South Broadway Median extension. Continuation of traffic median program initiated in 2000 with a federally funded project and extended with a second federally funded project in 2008. This project would complete the medians throughout the . . .	Englewood	CO	30	$2,000,000	Streets/Roads	-24
Street rehabilitation program-upgrade of City street infrastructure. This is a continuation of 4 year project initiated in 2006, but discontinued due to lack of funding. Street system infrastructure is over 50 years old and has been severely damaged.	Englewood	CO	20	$920,000	Streets/Roads	10
Concrete replacement program. This project is the annual sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement program for the City and funding of this project is matched by property owners through an annual concrete utility fee.	Englewood	CO	20	$268,000	Streets/Roads	-5
Bridge rehabilitation program. Continuation of annual program for rehabilitation of bridges as identified by the Colorado Department of Transportation 2008 bridge inspection program.	Englewood	CO	5	$140,000	Streets/Roads	15
Water storage tank rehabilitation. Rehabilitation/valve replacement of the City’s three water storage tanks.	Englewood	CO	15	$1,000,000	Water	-1
Replace roof of Water Treatment Plant	Englewood	CO	8	$500,000	Water	-6
Hampden Avenue 16″ Water Main replacement	Englewood	CO	10	$500,000	Water	6
West Union Avenue 16″ Water Main replacement.	Englewood	CO	10	$500,000	Water	4
Elevated tanks and pipe rehabilitation	Englewood	CO	5	$423,000	Water	3
Pipe City Ditch (open water delivery ditch) in southern areas of City.	Englewood	CO	6	$300,000	Water	-6
Water main replacement – replacement of aged water mains – 2 year planned replacement program	Englewood	CO	10	$300,000	Water	4
Sanitary sewer main replacement- replacement of aged sewer lines-2 year planned replacement	Englewood	CO	3	$200,000	Water	5
Storm water line replacement – replacement of storm water lines – 2 year replacement program	Englewood	CO	4	$200,000	Water	2
Water pumping transformer replacement.	Englewood	CO	2	$106,000	Water	1
Water system security vulnerablility assessment upgrades	Englewood	CO	1	$25,000	Water	-5
South Broadway ornamental lighting and median landscape renovation. Provide for the replacement of deteriorated street median landscaping and obsolete and malfunctioning ornamental lighting in the historic downtown district on South Broadway. The . . .	Englewood	CO	30	$900,000	CDBG	-54
Sidewalk missing links program. Provide for sidewalks in areas of the City in which sidewalks are not present. The majority of these are located in low income areas and serve transit connections and the Alternative High School.	Englewood	CO	10	$130,000	CDBG	-8
Fire SCBA – Self-Contained Breathig Apparatus replacement. Replace end-of-useful life SCBA equpment and mobil servicing vehicle.	Englewood	CO	0	$300,000	Public Safety	7
Mobile Data Terminal replacement- replacement of obsolete mobile data terminals	Englewood	CO	0	$100,000	Public Safety	-12
Evidence tracker software	Englewood	CO	0	$60,000	Public Safety	-12
Tactical vests for SWAT team	Englewood	CO	0	$55,000	Public Safety	5
Digital Interface Police/Court case Management System	Englewood	CO	0	$37,500	Public Safety	-11
Bates Avenue Light Rail Station – city share of new light rail station. Denver Regional Transportation District is funding 1/3 of cost, which is currently in place. This project will allow for redevelopment of former foundry/brownfield site . . .	Englewood	CO	120	$7,200,000	Transit	15
Purchase two 25 passenger, handicap accessible buses for intercity transit service (Art Shuttle)	Englewood	CO	0	$90,000	Transit	-11

* The population of Englewood is about 33,000.

Stimulus Projects Requested for Durango, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Denver.  Eleven projects, totaling $65,870,000 (about $3,875 per person* in the city), have been submitted for Durango:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-16-09)
Florida Road Improvements – Plans for widening this busy arterial road include the installation of curb, gutters, sidewalks, bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, medians, landscaping, streetlights, storm drains, and other safety. . .	Durango	CO	1550	$15,500,000	Streets/Roads	14
SMART 160 Multi-modal Trail – U.S. Highway 160 is the only east-west highway through La Plata County and has long been an impediment to safe travel for bicyclists and pedestrians due to the high traffic volumes and speed.	Durango	CO	800	$8,000,000	Streets/Roads	-10
Sidewalk Replacement in Historic Downtown – Deteriorated sidewalks in historic downtown Durango have been identified in the Downtown Vision Plan as a priority project. In addition to replacing the sidewalks, the project includes installing street . . .	Durango	CO	300	$3,000,000	Streets/Roads	-18
Traffic Signals – This project includes the reconfiguration or installation of new traffic signals to improve traffic flow at highly-congested areas of Durango. Included in the project are plans to incorporate bike- and pedestrian-friendly . . .	Durango	CO	240	$2,400,000	Streets/Roads	6
Accessible Sidewalks – Constructing accessible sidewalks along Main Avenue from 14th Street to 37th Street in Durango would allow consistent and improved access to the businesses along Main Avenue. Few of the intersections have sidewalk ramps at this . . .	Durango	CO	90	$900,000	Streets/Roads	5
Railroad Crossings at 32nd Avenue – This project will replace the current traditional crossing at 32nd Avenue with a crossing made from recycled materials that is safer for both pedestrians and bicyclists.	Durango	CO	25	$250,000	Streets/Roads	-9
Storm Water Pre-treatment – The City of Durango currently maintains 57 storm drain pipelines that collect storm water from throughout the cityÂ’s roadway system. Sediment and hydrocarbons are washed from the roadway surface into the storm . . .	Durango	CO	340	$3,420,000	Water	2
Airport Terminal Roadway Reconstruction Project-This project will replace the terminal roads that are currently in very poor shape and are failing. Included in the project are best management practices.	Durango	CO	130	$1,300,000	Airport	4
Regional Materials Recycling Facility – DurangoÂ’s existing recycle center is 14 years old and has become insufficient to handle the amount and type of materials the community recycles.	Durango	CO	1500	$15,000,000	Energy	5
Historic Library Remodel – After 105 years, DurangoÂ’s public library has moved to a new location, leaving behind a historic building with old, inefficient systems. The City of Durango owns the building and would like to remodel the building for City . . .	Durango	CO	340	$3,400,000	Energy	-34
Downtown Parking Garage – This 224,000-square-foot parking garage would provide adequate multi-modal parking to attract development to downtown Durango. The garage will be constructed in conjunction with the new regional transit center (already under . . .	Durango	CO	1270	$12,700,000	Transit	-23

* The population of Durango is about 17,000 (13,922 in 2000).

Stimulus Projects Requested for Denver, Colorado

Yesterday I posted a table with the stimulus projects requested for Colorado Springs.  Twenty-four projects, totaling $341,850,000 (about $600 per person* in the city), have been submitted for Denver:

Description	City	State	Jobs	Cost	Program Type	Vote Ratio (6-15-09)
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Montclair Outfall	Denver	CO	112	$20,000,000	Water	-5
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Large Pipe and Manhole Rehab	Denver	CO	56	$10,000,000	Water	-1
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: 14th and Stout Storm Drain	Denver	CO	35	$6,200,000	Water	-3
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Bayaud Outfall	Denver	CO	35	$6,200,000	Water	-4
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Park Hill Pond	Denver	CO	31	$5,500,000	Water	4
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Cherry Creek North Outfall	Denver	CO	22	$4,000,000	Water	0
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Florida Outfall Extension	Denver	CO	20	$3,500,000	Water	2
Critical Stormwater Conveyance Projects: Wolff Street Bridge over Lakewood Gulch	Denver	CO	8	$1,500,000	Water	-6
Operational Safety: Smart Meter parking meter replacement	Denver	CO	22	$4,000,000	Public Safety	-150
Operational Safety: Safety Improvements at 15 Intersections (Signal Replacement)	Denver	CO	20	$3,600,000	Public Safety	-8
Operational Safety: Upgrade Traffic Signal Control Systems	Denver	CO	17	$3,000,000	Public Safety	-2
Transit Support Project: Denver Union Station *Number of jobs created based on EPS study. This number is the annual average over years 2009-2013	Denver	CO	1190	$88,000,000	Transit	30
New Transportation Construction: Central Park Blvd Interchange	Denver	CO	280	$50,000,000	Transit	6
New Transportation Construction: Broadway/I-25 Interchange Improvements	Denver	CO	213	$38,000,000	Transit	8
Transit Support Project: Downtown Circulation Infrastructure	Denver	CO	140	$25,000,000	Transit	11
New Transportation Construction: Federal Blvd. (7th to Holden Place)	Denver	CO	115	$20,600,000	Transit	-20
Transportation Reconstruction: South Broadway (Iowa to Asbury)	Denver	CO	95	$17,000,000	Transit	-9
Transit Support Project: 16th Street Mall Reconstruction	Denver	CO	90	$16,000,000	Transit	-68
Transportation Reconstruction: Cherry Creek Drive South (Alameda to Colorado Blvd.)	Denver	CO	39	$7,000,000	Transit	-43
Enhancement–Bike and Pedestrian: West Alameda/RR Underpass (ADA and bike improvements, and rehabilitation of structure)	Denver	CO	28	$5,000,000	Transit	-19
New Transportation Construction: 56th Avenue, Quebec thru Havana Transition	Denver	CO	17	$3,000,000	Transit	-1
Transportation Reconstruction: Alameda Avenue (University of Cherry Creek on south side of Cherry Creek)	Denver	CO	17	$3,000,000	Transit	-16
Enhancement–Bike and Pedestrian: Bike Station at Denver Union Station Transit Hub	Denver	CO	6	$1,000,000	Transit	-32
Enhancement–Bike and Pedestrian: Alameda to Broadway Bikeway (Alameda LRT Station to Broadway LRT Station)	Denver	CO	4	$750,000	Transit	-14

* The population of Denver is about 570,000.