From 2002 to 2007, Michigan’s funding for higher education decreased 13 percent. In that same time frame, the rest of the nation’s average was an increase of 15.1 percent.

For a state that already is losing college graduates because of a poor economic climate, these figures should send shivers down the spines of every legislator.

Many might argue that with the budget problems Michigan has experienced during that period — including a short state shutdown — the state simply lacks the funds to properly invest in public colleges and universities. They might argue that the funds are better served filling in needs in other areas, such as enticing new businesses into the state.

Certainly that’s an important goal, and one deserving the attention of lawmakers. However, they mustn’t close their eyes to what impact these decisions will have on the long-term health of Michigan.

Usually when state funding for higher education is cut, the universities are forced to respond with tuition hikes. Every time tuition is raised, it closes the gap between the cost of staying in Michigan and venturing out to either a private school or a public university in another state.

Once a student has left the state, the job climate of Michigan tends to indicate that they’ll stay away.

There’s also those for which college is simply becoming too expensive. The current credit crunch isn’t helping matters, as financial institutions are slowly cutting off funds for school loans often needed to keep up with the rising tuition. For many, it might mean that they’ll settle for lower-paying jobs that don’t require a college education.

In essence, by not focusing on higher education, the state is killing off its future tax base. Legislators might be talking about funding problems now, but what happens when the state is almost completely filled with people who have retired and the only workers are those earning barely above minimum wage? Who will fund necessary programs and state functions then?

Businesses in the private sector have slowly learned that it’s far cheaper to keep an old customer than it is to gain a new customer. When Michigan is out there spending money trying to bring outsiders into Michigan — such as the recent film subsidies, designed to bring the entertainment industry to the state — they should remember what that might cost the state in the long term.

Legislators like to give impassioned speeches about the importance of higher education, but until they begin looking at the long term picture and catch up to what the rest of the nation is doing by properly funding higher education, it remains just that: Talk.