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Community colleges will be the engine powering any economic recovery in Iowa, according to several state legislators.

However, lawmakers said it is important that leaders of Iowa's community colleges promote their cause to the hilt - particularly in the face of what will likely be tough budget in 2010.

Several members of the Iowa General Assembly took part in a panel discussion Thursday at Iowa Central Community College, as part of the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees' annual conference.

The event, which kicked off Wednesday and will wrap up today, brought together officials from Iowa's 15 community colleges to discuss the common issues they face.

The conference also gave Iowa Central an early chance to showcase the school's Bioscience and Life Science Center. Though not yet completed, the school received permission to temporarily occupy the premises for the conference.

Among Thursday's five panelists was Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal.

The Council Bluffs Democrat highlighted legislative accomplishments during the 2009 session, which concluded April 26.

"I'm proud of the fact we did a fair job - I won't say a great job - of holding onto resources," said Gronstal.

An infusion of federal stimulus dollars helped stave off the worst as far as budget cuts to education, he said.

But 2010 promises to be a "very, very daunting budget year," Gronstal said.

"There are going to be some real cuts next year," he said. "It is unlikely anything will escape unscathed."

Deb Cook, a trustee of Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, asked what will happen without stimulus money next year. Cook said she feared that tuition hikes will become necessary during a time when many people who have lost jobs are seeking new skills at community colleges.

"There is no answer at this point," said Rep. Marcella Frevert, D-Emmetsburg. "There are going to be painful choices we all have to make."

Rep. Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, encouraged community college administrators and trustees to do everything they can to make sure their schools are a priority to their legislators and Gov. Chet Culver.

The 2010 budgetary process will begin later this year, as revenue estimates are reviewed by Culver and lawmakers.

"Make sure you're high on the governor's radar," he said. "Once that happens, be high on our radar ... Don't rely solely on lobbyists. Be your own advocates."

Maintaining community colleges is more important than ever, said Rep. Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner.

Upmeyer said that unemployment in her district is higher than the state average due to layoffs at the Winnebago recreational vehicle plant in Forest City.

She called on trustees to be the "eyes and ears" of the legislature to make sure issues are brought to the attention of lawmakers.

Both Upmeyer and Paulsen expressed concern that students are entering community colleges without an adequate base of knowledge.

According to Paulsen, more than 40 percent of recent high school graduates require remedial math and English coursework upon entering community colleges.

"That's a huge embarrassment for the state with a schoolhouse on its quarter," he said.

Paulsen said that developing means to ensure a smooth, effective transition between high school and post-secondary education should be a priority.

Sen. Nancy Boettger, R-Harlan, spoke in favor of continued communication between high schools and community colleges to make sure that students graduate well-prepared for college.

Boettger echoed her colleagues' financial concerns.

Though challenges lie ahead, Gronstal pointed out that Iowa's economy is, in relative terms, one of the strongest in the nation.

The current economic downturn is part of the ebb and flow of the economy, he said.

"We went through some very challenging times in the '80s and early '90s," Gronstal said.

Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net