A tax increase specifically designed to fund school would erase many of the problems facing the community college system and the K-12 system. The state's low-income population would benefit greatly because they would then be able to afford an adequate education. A few cents or taxpayer dollars to a great cause like education would also help boost the economy. The education system needs more money, "favorable economic conditions such as low unemployment rates and high gross public product, for example, have been found to be associated with increased spending on higher education" (Ness 337). Budget deficits will only hurt the economy because higher-ranking jobs will not be available and students without a college education will be forced to compete for minimum wage jobs. Since the state refuses to raise taxes, it finds itself in a position where the only option is to cut certain programs necessary to balance the situation.