The Sacramento State Alumni Association on March 24 hosted a breakfast with Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River, to discuss issues concerning the deficit, economy, job creation and education.

The Alumni Association decided to gather the Sac State community to have breakfast with Lungren to discuss the issues the community isfacing and to ask questions regarding theplans and goals of his district.

Elected in 2005, Lungren represents California’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Sacramento.

As Lungren addressed the Sac State community, he shared the challenges he and other members of Congress in Washington are facing and what they are planning to do for the Sacramento community.

“We have to do something,” Lungren said in his speech. “We cannot go in the same direction we are going right now, it’s unsustainable.”

Lungren proposed to establish a “continuing resolution,” which legislation allows the government to fund programs while its budget is still yet to be approved, and also to settle a 10-year balanced budget to keep the American people “confident for their future.”

Lungren said a sustainable recovery for the nation’s deficit will require savings and investments instead of increased spending, taxing and borrowing.

“I believe we need to work to achieve a balanced budget as soon as possible,” Lungren said. “In order to reduce the deficit, it is important that we practice fiscal discipline by keeping our spending limits sensible and establishing an accountability system for our federal programs.”

Although Lungren discussed this year’s estimated deficit of $1.6 trillion and Congress’ goal to obtain a balanced budget, he did not cover the effects on education for the Sac State community due to the current deficit.

Recently the U.S House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the continuing resolution that cuts $11 billion, or 16 percent, from the Department of Education, which would affect students who receive the Pell Grant.

Sac State alumna Joyce Crawford, a representative of California Postsecondary Education Commission, brought to Lungren’s attention the recent cuts of the Pell Grant that concern Sac State students, as well as the community.

The Pell Grant is a postsecondary educational federal grant sponsored by the U.S Department of Education. The grant is targeted toward students from lower income families who cannot afford college expenses. Students at Sac State who receive the Pell Grant rely on the financial aid to pay for tuition, food and rent.

“I depend on the Pell Grant,” said Kymber Leigh, junior photography major. “It helps me pay for all my necessities to get through each semester. Without it I would not be able to have enough money to survive and I would not be able to afford to go to Sac State.”

As Leigh and Crawford have a concern for the cut in the Pell Grant, Lungren said the issue will have to be discussed further in depth.

“We will have to examine the Pell Grant on its own merit. However, it is not off the table,” Lungren said.

However, this response raised concerns for Crawford, who strongly supports higher education and funding for underprivileged students who depend on the Pell Grant for aid.

“I was disappointed in Lungren’s response about the Pell Grants,” Crawford said. “I was hoping for a direct response in regards to the effects of the cuts and what will be done to help students who will not be eligible for these types of grants.”

Lungren said it is difficult to discuss issues such as the Pell Grant cut because the budget is still uncertain.

Crawford said she is determined to bring to the attention of Congress the concerns of cutting the Pell Grants.

“The Pell Grants are the largest source of needed base federal aid for college students,” Crawford said. “Cutting the award will affect Sac State students and their financial eligibility to continue their higher education.”

Under the continuing resolution, the Pell Grant funding will decrease from $5,550 to $4,705, reduce income limits, and cause 1.7 million students nationwide to lose their eligibility for grants.

“The average Pell Grant award amount will drop by $785 affecting the ability to use this money for textbooks, transportation, child care or other costs,” Crawford said. “This can make the difference between staying in and dropping out of school.”

Although Lungren is uncertain about how the Pell Grant cuts will be determined for future students, Crawford said she remains hopeful.

“It is important that we keep our heads above water,” Crawford said. “I am a strong believer in higher education and as an alumna of Sac State; I hope to continue to fight for the reductions of the Pell Grants for the sake of students in need of federal aid.”

Yvette Villasenor can be reached at [email protected]