Andrea Macko is reporting for Porcupine Soup the Columbia-Greene Community College Board of Trustees has submitted to the legislative bodies of Columbia and Greene counties for approval, a $19,128,307 proposed operating budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year The spending plan reflects a 10 percent increase in overall spending, and an increase in tuition, from $2,484 to $2,556 per semester for state residents enrolled as full-time students. Maureen Sager, Columbia-Greene’s director of marketing and communications, said the college "...has worked hard to keep education within reach of every student. The increase this year ― 2.9 percent ― is indeed lower than the current rate of inflation, and we are thankful that we can continue to offer affordable tuition to Greene and Columbia County residents." The two-year college is supported by tuition, state aid, support from both Greene and Columbia counties, and, this year, just under $1.5 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, part of the federal CARES Act. The college is forecasting a decline in student enrollment which will result in a 5 percent decrease in tuition and fees. Greene and Columbia counties are expected to contribute a combined $6.45 million. Greene County will pay $2.90 million ― $206,333 less than last year ― while Columbia County’s share is $206,333 more for a total of $3.55 million. Sager said, “We’ve got more students from Columbia County this year, so their percentage is higher, and Greene County is lower. Overall, our county contributions are the same as last year.” The full Greene County Legislature will vote on the proposal following a public hearing August 17. College officials said Columbia County is on board with the plan. Read the full story at porcupinesoup [dot] com.