Higher Education Rally asks for better funding

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - One of the biggest rallies held in Montgomery each year is set for Thursday.
   
The annual Higher Education Day Rally will be held in front of the Statehouse at 11 a.m. The event organized by the Higher Education Partnership usually draws more than 2,000 college students, alumni and supporters.

Partnership Executive Director Gordon Stone said speakers will include the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the House.

He said participants will push for higher education to get a bigger share of the state education budget than it has received in recent years. He said Alabama families are spending more than 12 percent of their income on tuition and fees for college, and the state must do a better job of funding colleges.