Dr. Jim Purcell Spoke Concerns Over The State's Higher Education

Higher education and economic development was the hot topic at the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Tuesday.

Dr. Jim Purcell met with a number of local and state leaders. Purcell is the head of higher education for the State of Louisiana. Right now, there is push to allow schools to raise tuition because of state budget cuts. Purcell says that if changes aren't made soon, fewer students will be able to enter the workforce with the right skills that potential employers need.

"We are getting to a part that the budget cuts will affect us offering course that are needed for our workforce so we are looking at programs that will cost them more but they will be able to graduate a lot sooner" says Purcell.

Lawmakers will vote on the issue involving tuition hikes in the upcoming legislative session.