"Nobody likes to borrow," Senator Forby said. "But right now we have to find short-term solutions to keep our schools afloat while the state is not making its payments. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives community colleges some more options in order to keep their doors open."

The measure allows community colleges to increase their borrowing limit from 75 percent to 150 percent to pay for operations like maintenance and payroll until the State pays its bills. Another feature of the bill allows community colleges to formally establish a line of credit to meet short term financial needs without going through that bonding process.

"Some colleges have already bonded their 75 percent and are still facing cuts or shutting down," Senator Forby said. "A few community colleges don’t need large sums of money and allowing them to establish smaller lines of credit for short-term cash will be beneficial."

"I would rather put more money into colleges to ensure that students continue to receive a quality education rather than putting kids in a situation where they aren’t prepared, can’t find a job, and could end up on the streets or in prison."