The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education will vote today on a state funding request calling for budget increases of 4.6 and 2.6 percent for fiscal year 2011 and 2012, respectively. University officials tempered funding expectations due to the state’s nearly $1.2 billion deficit. Kentucky’s public institutions of higher education received a $70 million budget cut this year, which was offset by federal stimulus funds. The council’s budget request calls for $48 million more than the state provided this year and $30 million more the following year.

 

Lexington Herald-Leader (Date posted: November 5, 2009)

 

Maine voters defeated a referendum Tuesday that would have instituted a formula-based system of tax and spending caps on state and local governments. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) measure was defeated by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.

 

Kennebec Journal (Date posted: November 5, 2009)

 

Leaders of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) have approved a state appropriations request of $483 million for 2010-11. This represents a $17.8 million, or 3.8 percent, funding increase over last year. PASSHE will receive $38.2 million in federal stimulus money this year, which will partially offset a $54 million in state budget reductions since 2008-09. Officials have stated that tuition will not be increased this year beyond the 3.7 percent hike approved in July.

 

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Date posted: November 4, 2009)

 

Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday that will create a $500 million state university research fund. The new National Research University Fund, which comes from existing state money, is aimed at developing more tier-one research universities in the state. Universities seeking money from this account must meet a minimum threshold of $45 million annually in research expenditures and comply with at least four of six other standards, such as awarding 200 doctoral degrees annually and accumulating an endowment of at least $400 million.

 

Austin American-Statesman (Date posted: November 4, 2009)

A Vermont panel deliberating over a proposal to consolidate the University of Vermont and the Vermont State Colleges has decided against recommending a merger. The five-member panel concluded that the two entities should work together to improve efficiency and programs, but differences in the cultures and students they serve would hinder merger efforts.

 

Associated Press (Date posted: November 5, 2009)

Both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature have approved a measure requiring that at least half of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents come from different regions of the state. The legislation would form seven geographic districts that would have at least one regent on the 14-member panel. The bill will now go to Gov. Jim Doyle (D) for his consideration.

 

Chicago Tribune (Date posted: November 5, 2009)

A task force commissioned by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) has released a report calling for the state to budget at least $64 million more for need-based college financial aid and revise the criteria for the state’s Educational Excellence Scholarship to match new K-12 learning standards. The report also calls for more financial aid for part-time and non-traditional students, greater work opportunities for students and enhancing efforts to improve cost savings.

 

Lexington Herald-Leader (Date posted: November 4, 2009)