State lawmakers criticized the recent statements released by Governor Francisco Vega who reacted after the controversial demand of funds from the Dean of the Autonomous University of Baja California, or UABC in Spanish.
Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI in Spanish) Assembly Leader Alejandro Arregui regretted Gov. Vega’s recent comments regarding the issue.
Gov. Vega said he is not in office to satisfy whims, but to comply with the law.
Assembly members requested a hearing with Vega at the Legislature’s building in order to address the $26.1 million debt the state has with the university.
Arregui said the federal and state governments are entitled to pay a subsidy to UABC every year.
The PRI legislative leader said the federal government has disbursed its entitlement with the university, but the state has not paid its entire part, which has caused issues with college leadership.
Arregui said Gov. Vega has admitted the debt but has not disclosed the way and time it will be covered.
“No state branch should bargain the University its contribution with formation and development of thousands of Baja California’s youth,” he said. “I urge and immediate deep solution from those who are in charge of providing financial viability to the university.”
Blanca Ríos, another PRI lawmaker, said public education funds must not be in jeopardy or play with, as it will put thousands of youth out of college.
“Students must be in classroom, not in the streets,” she said. “I speak for myself and in the name of the PRI caucus.”
She underlined the fact of a budget increase at the State’s Executive Office from 450 million pesos in 2013 to 805 million for this year, by saying a portion of these funds could have gone to the university.
“(Gov.) ‘Kiko’ Vega recognized a debt of 313 million (pesos), which although a disagreement with the amount, means an open acceptation of the debt,” Ríos said. “As lawmakers, we cannot allow this financial impact to UABC.”
In the mean time, the state chair of the Institutional Revolutionary Party said the state has a legal and moral debt with the Autonomous University of Baja California that must be paid to avoid an impact in the future of thousands of residents.
PRI state leader Chris López said that beyond ideology, the current standing debt of 470 million pesos or $26.1 million has an impact in services and creates the urgency of making a front to defend the public college.
“Education is as fundamental as public safety,” he said. “Bargaining a single peso to education is like losing two from the state more secure, prosper and prepared future. We must not take away youth their dream of being better and grow.”
López said the university has cancelled national and international events due to the crisis. However, last week former Uruguay President José Mujica took part of a series of events held in Tijuana, where the university’s dean gave him an honorary grade.
The lack of funds has also prevented the college from hiring teachers and researchers who might have brought knowledge to the state.
