2017 Legislative Update – Week 6
2017-2018 Budget The Executive Appropriations Committee approved its first round of funding items on Friday. For higher education, initial items include: Compensation: 2% labor market adjustment increase (plus funding for health insurance rate increases), with the ratio of funding at 75% from state funds and 25% of tuition funds. Student Enrollment Growth: $3.5 million ongoing for… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 6
2017 Legislative Update – Week 5
2017-2018 Budget With revised revenue projections announced last week, significant budget decisions continue to loom before a final budget takes shape. There is still a lot of work on the budget as well as several bills that continue their march through the legislative process. Legislation of Interest HB 100, Institutions of Higher Education Disclosure Requirements… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 5
2017 Legislative Update – Week 3
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee met for its final scheduled hearing this week, focusing on the Board of Regents’ budget priorities for USHE. The committee also considered other budget requests. Understandably, the top priority of the subcommittee is to restore the 2% across-the-board budget cut. The subcommittee also voted to hold… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 3
2017 Legislative Update – Week 2
The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The subcommittee met twice this week, hearing from seven of the eight USHE presidents. Each president advocated the Board of Regents’ unified budget priorities, highlighted notable accomplishments and provided compelling arguments of the critical need for increased state funding at their institutions. The subcommittee, as directed by the Executive Appropriations… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 2
2017 Legislative Update – Week 1
Overview The 2017 Session of the Utah State Legislature got underway Monday, January 23, and will conclude Thursday, March 9. It is anticipated there will be several bills with potential impact to the Utah System of Higher Education, all of which will be tracked and responses coordinated by the Commissioner’s Office and institutions. 2017-2018 Budget According… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 1
2016 Legislative Update – Week 5
2016-2017 Budget With revised revenue projections announced last week, significant budget decisions continue to loom before a final budget takes shape. There is still a lot of work on the budget as well as several bills that continue their march through the legislative process. Key Legislation *HB 182, Concurrent Enrollment Amendments by Rep. Val Peterson,… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 5
2016 Legislative Update – Week 4
Higher Education Day on the Hill Regents, Trustees, Presidents and student leaders gathered on Friday for the annual higher education luncheon in the Capitol Rotunda. Attended by over 75 legislators, including members of legislative leadership, it was a good opportunity to re-emphasize USHE’s budget and capital development priorities. The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The Higher… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 4
2016 Legislative Update – Week 1
Overview The 2016 Session of the Utah State Legislature got underway Monday, January 25, and will conclude Thursday, March 11. It is anticipated there will be several bills with potential impact to the Utah System of Higher Education, all of which will be carefully tracked by the Commissioner’s Office and institutions. 2016-2017 Budget According to… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 1
2015 Legislative Summary
Overview In preparation for the 2015 Legislative Session, the Board of Regents established a multi-layered budget strategy to continue addressing the most critical needs of USHE institutions as well as prioritize STEM needs in capital development. The Board, with the support of institutional presidents, prioritized merit-based compensation increases, continued support for Mission Based Funding, expanded… Continue Reading 2015 Legislative Summary
2015 Legislative Update – Week 6
2015-2016 Budget The Executive Appropriations Committee approved its first round of funding items on Thursday. For higher education, initial items include a beginning 2% merit increase in compensation, $8 million in performance funding ($2 million ongoing, $6 million one-time), and $2.5 million for growth in the Regents’ Scholarship. In addition, three of the Regents’ capital… Continue Reading 2015 Legislative Update – Week 6