House File 45 — otherwise known as the Taxpayer First Act — was recently passed by the Iowa House.

ISU students, this is your wake up call. Regardless of your political affiliation, it’s time to get angry. Two of the most thought about aspects of our lives — education and sex — are about to get more expensive and a lot less accessible.

For those of you who don’t know, HF45 is a deapproapriation bill; it cuts or completely eliminates funding for a multitude of social services and programs — an unnecessary action considering the state has a $1 billion rainy day fund.

Included in the bill is the elimination of our preschool program for 4-year-olds — a program envied across of the nation. It ends the Quitline Iowa Initiative, a smoking cessation program. It reduces the funding for the planned passenger rail that was to go between Iowa City and Chicago. This is just to name a few.

We have become accustomed to hearing the phrase “budget cuts.” Perhaps this is why the student body at Iowa State is not reacting to this round of cuts; it’s as if we have become desensitized to it. However, we have yet to see a conglomerate of a budget cutting bill that will impact us, the students, to such a dangerous extent.

This bill cuts a little more than $500 million during the next three years from numerous programs impacting individuals in every stage of life: children, adults and the elderly.

To give you an idea of the implications, I’d like to address the cuts that could potentially directly impact you, the student, this fiscal year.

What will change for you in 2011?

In the next year alone, the amount of state funding Iowa State will receive is being reduced by $3.7 million. Any time there is a reduction in state funding, student tuition must be raised to cover the loss or the quality of education must be lessened. There is the potential to see some degree programs cut, entire departments shut down, less class offerings and larger class sizes.

A question we must ask ourselves: Are we actually receiving a public education if tuition contribution from students is greater than state contribution? State money accounted for 41 percent of funding in 2010, while our tuition dollars accounted for 47 percent. The answer becomes even more obvious after HF45: The amount of money the state of Iowa contributes to the university continually lessens as the amount of money we must pay continually rises.

Are you a senior, expecting to get a full-time job in the next year? Are you hoping to use your income to start paying off student loan debt? It is likely you will not have health insurance working your first entry-level job. Before enactment of the bill, if you were without health insurance you could make up to $32,490 a year and still qualify for free birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and other sexual health services.

After enactment of the bill, you can’t make more than $14,404 to receive free family planning services. In other words, that condom better not break. The morning after pill will cost you up to $70, an amount you probably won’t be able to just throw around when your parents quit paying your cell phone bill and you’re earning an entry level salary or hourly wage — especially when every extra penny you’ve got will be going to student loan payments.

Not a graduating senior? That’s OK, practicing safe sex will get more expensive for you too. Many of you are covered under your parent’s health insurance policy. You know that out-of-pocket charge you have to pay while you are at the office or the bill you are sent shortly after your visit? Most of you won’t ask your parents to cover this amount:

“Hey mom, can I have 20 bucks for my Nuva-Ring and condoms?”

Not likely as an adult in your 20s. Your out-of-pocket fee for contraceptives, exams and other sexual health necessities — even if you are covered under your parent’s health insurance — could go up because the sliding fee scale family planning clinics operate on will be changed dramatically.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland said it best, “HF45 will result in thousands of Iowans losing family planning coverage.” So much for being encouraged to practice safe sex.

There was a public forum regarding HF45 on Jan. 18, and 90 people signed up to speak either in support or opposition to the bill. The arguments against were numerous and outnumbered the arguments in support.

The public was also encouraged to write in about the bill: 436 people wrote in opposition, only 35 wrote in support. Essentially, the only individuals who spoke at the forum in support of the bill were business and corporate owners. Not coincidentally, these are the people who will gain the most. Amendments to the bill were proposed to limit the tax relief this bill is funding to those making less than $250,000 — you know, students like you and me. This measure was defeated.

Reducing or eliminating funding for vital services, such as education and family planning, will not reduce or eliminate the need for it. ISU students, tell your lawmakers: You can make it more expensive and drive us deeper into debt, but we’ll still be earning a college degree. You can discourage us, but we’ll sure as hell still be having safe sex. You can choose to put corporate profit first, or you can choose to support and impact positively the lives of the future leaders of your state.

As a Catholic deacon said at the forum, “Does this budget fill the need or feed the greed?”