2015 Legislative Update – Week 5
2015-2016 Budget With revised revenue projections announced last week, significant budget decisions continue to loom before a final budget takes shape, including Medicaid expansion and possible gas tax revisions. There is still a lot of work to be done on the budget as well as several bills that continue their march through the legislative process. […]
2015 Legislative Interns (Part 1)
While the Utah State Legislature is in session, 93 college students from around the state of Utah get the opportunity to intern for state legislators. This internship gives college students the opportunity to take part first hand in the legislative process and interact with state leaders on key issues. Whether student interns are tracking legislation, […]
2015 Legislative Update – Week 4
Higher Education Luncheon Regents, Trustees, Presidents and student leaders gathered on Friday for the annual higher education luncheon in the Capitol Rotunda, attended by an estimated two-thirds of legislators. It was a good opportunity to visit informally and stress the importance of our legislative priorities. 2015-2016 Budget Revised state tax revenue figures agreed upon by […]
2015 Legislative Update – Week 3
2015-16 Budget – Performance Funding The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee discussed performance funding for the Utah System of Higher Education in several of its meetings. Key components of a basic framework have been identified, and legislation is anticipated to specify performance funding as a category in future USHE budget requests. If funding is provided implementation […]
The impact of a 2% budget cut
As part of the one-time budget reduction made by the Executive Appropriations Committee before the 2015 legislative session, all appropriations subcommittees were requested to identify a 2% cut to existing base budgets, including higher education. The stated intent is to “stress test” areas of the state budget to help inform budget priorities for the upcoming […]
2015 Legislative Update – Week 2
There is additional legislation with potential impact to higher education. Much of the focus continues on the budget, and the Higher Educations Appropriations Subcommittee continues to meet this week. 2015-2016 Budget. Six USHE presidents gave excellent presentations to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Presidents Wight and Huftalin presented previously). Their messages all provided relevant insights on […]
Improving counselor training in college and career readiness
February 2-6 has been declared School Counseling Week in Utah. “School counselors are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents, as these traits relate to career awareness and development,” said Governor Herbert in a declaration. The Governor’s timing of this declaration not only coincides with national events recognizing the role of […]
Legislative Update – Week 1
The 2015 Session of the Utah State Legislature got underway Monday, January 26, and will conclude Thursday, March 12. 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. 2015-2016 Budget According to the […]
Board of Regents Advance Performance Funding Proposal for 2015 Legislature
The Board of Regents approved a performance funding model as part of its 2015-16 legislative budget request. The USHE budget request includes support for employee compensation, student participation, distinctive mission, and performance funding, all of which serve to further the strategic directions of the Board of Regents—affordable participation, timely completion, and innovative discovery. Performance Funding […]
Continued state funding critical to higher education
The State Board of Regents, in partnership with the Governor and state Legislature, have taken significant steps to maintain state funding for public higher education in Utah. Utah’s historical trend in state funding support for higher education is similar to the nation’s – relatively flat levels of state funding at a time of significant student […]
