As the General Assembly hashes over the state’s budget, and basically looking at ways to make up for a $1 billion shortfall, one thing they are eyeing are dramatic cuts in the University System of Georgia’s budget.

The community should band together and fight some of the cuts being proposed.

Some of the proposals are to eliminate the Georgia 4-H program, closing half of UGA’s County Extension offices and closing the Attapulgus Research Farm.

Even more troubling are the approximately $1.56 million in cuts that would be taken at Bainbridge College.

Some of these cuts proposed would be the elimination of the paramedic/EMT training, the drafting and the Continuing Education programs, and the college’s advising center.

At the same time the state is looking to cut, the Board of Regents is looking to increase tuition.

In these tight budget years, neither option is good, but eliminating these proposed programs would be a big blow to this community.