I’m really beginning to like Bill Virgin.

A couple days ago I blogged about the need to properly fund state colleges and universities, or face the inevitable negative economic consequences. [I’m an east coast, elitist, academic snob]

In Thursday’s Seattle P-I, Bill echoes some of my comments, and elaborates further on the role of universities as economic engines. [University is now key to a state’s economy]

Universities have long been part of economic development, anyway, because of the research they produce that is commercialized by startups and existing companies, and because of the graduates and faculty members who become entrepreneurs.

I couldn’t agree more. (In fact, a couple days ago, I did.) But Bill goes on:

Today, though, governors and economic development authorities are deliberately and specifically designating universities as a key component in generating new economic activity, not just through training and education but as centers for creating new technologies and commercial ventures.

This is what wacky liberals like me mean when we talk about investing in the future. Thanks Bill, for pointing out a few more reasons why we’re not spending enough money on higher education!