(Photo by Casey Kuhn - KJZZ)

Maria Harper-Marinick and Michael Crow speak at a panel put together by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.

The governor just rolled out his proposed budget, with dollars aimed for primary education, but higher-education leaders say their programs are being left out of the funding conversation.

The heads of Arizona State University and the Maricopa County Community College District spoke to business members Tuesday about where economic policy and higher-education cross.

Both discussed how Arizona is behind in educational attainment, and, in getting college graduates into the job market, saying the state isn’t where it needs to be for a growing educated workforce.

ASU President Michael Crow says bringing together local businesses and students will help, but so is being involved in economic policy in the state Legislature.

“It’s really important that higher education be involved because we are the producer of the highest form of human capital, that is people, the most prepared to do new things," he said.

Crow says ASU leaders are concerned about the decreased state funding for the university.

MCCCD Chancellor Maria Harper-Marinick says investment in the community colleges is something she hopes the Legislature will address.

“I don’t know that there is an influence from the colleges into economic policy development," she said. "We are not in many cases even part of the conversation. That has to change.”

Harper-Marinick says the colleges are reaching out to legislators and the business community to help get more college graduates into the Arizona workforce.

EDITOR'S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to Rio Salado College, one of the Maricopa County Community College District schools.