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LAO Suggests Higher Ed Affordability Issue Needs to Refocus Away from Annual Tuition Sticker Price

Byuclafaculty

In testimony before the Assembly Higher Ed committee, LAO spokesperson Judy Heiman presented an overview of financial aid and affordability in California higher ed. The presentation was low key, reviewing various programs such as Cal Grants. With regard to tuition, she suggested that the legislature has been overly focused on the sticker price of annual tuition. One of the bullet points on her charts reads: Shifting policy focus away from “How can we minimize the price students pay, no matter the cost to the state?” and toward “How can we make a quality postsecondary education affordable?” Another suggestion involves varying…

Things to Come for UC?: Wisconsin Debates Separating Madison Campus from Others in System

Byuclafaculty

Insider Higher Ed reports today on the apparent efforts of the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to separate from the larger multi-campus system over the objections of the systemwide president. The chancellor is quoted as saying, “In my view, it is dangerous not only for UW-Madison, but for the entire System and the state to have the System administration and the regents oppose the possibility that its flagship campus, or any other campus, be given the tools it needs to preserve quality and contribute to economic recovery…” The article with links to various related items is at http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/02/17/qt#251537 Well,…

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Where Is the Budget? Gov. Brown Is Having Diffculty With His Own Party

Byuclafaculty

California voters last November approved a change in the state constitution allowing budgets to be passed with a simple majority vote. As prior posts noted, it appears that Gov. Brown’s budget, while it can be passed with a simple majority, is linked to a ballot proposition that will likely need a 2/3 vote. But put aside the 2/3 problem for a moment. As of now, it is not clear that Brown can get a majority vote for the budget itself, even though both houses of the legislature are controlled by Democrats. The TV ad below is a good illustration of…

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Mind the Gap! The Gap Between the LAO Forecast for Revenue in Budget Outyears and the Governor’s

Byuclafaculty

The Legislative Analyst has posted a forecast for the three major taxes that feed the state budget that is more pessimistic than the governor’s forecast. However, the gap mainly occurs in the outyears, i.e., years beyond the current budget proposal for 2011-12. The forecasts include the governor’s proposed tax extensions which would have to be approved by voters. However, the difference between the two forecasts (LAO vs. governor) is based on underlying assumptions about state economic performance. So presumably, a similar gap would exist regardless of what future tax rates are assumed. The chart below summarizes the gap: LAO includes…

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The Iceman Cometh: Will UC Feel Compelled to Follow Gov. Brown’s Hiring Freeze?

Byuclafaculty

Earlier today, Gov. Brown froze hiring at state agencies with only limited exceptions. In his executive order, he “requests” that agencies not under his direct control implement similar programs. (See the bold oversize text below.) Below is the text of the order: EXECUTIVE ORDER B-3-11 WHEREAS, California’s significant imbalance between revenues and expenditures has resulted in an estimated budget deficit of $25.4 billion; and WHEREAS, strong measures must be implemented to reduce costs and to regain and safeguard the trust of the people of California; and WHEREAS, Executive Order B-1-11, issued on January 11, 2011, ordered state agencies and departments…

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LAO Describes Slash and Burn Budget if Voters Do Not Approve Tax Extensions

Byuclafaculty

As prior posts have noted, Gov. Brown at one point seemed poised to present a budget from Hell that would assume no tax extensions. He would then offer the tax extensions as salvation. However, that strategy was not followed and the budget actually proposed assumes voters enact the tax extensions. However, the Legislative Analyst has – at the request of some legislators – has in fact indicated what a budget from Hell might look like. Below is an item excerpted from Capital Alert that describes the finding and notes the higher ed implications: Legislative analyst identifies massive cuts if taxes…

On a Lighter Note: Love is in the Air at UCLA on Valentine’s Day

Byuclafaculty

Valentine’s Day unmasking A special Valentine’s Day viewing of a new exhibition at the Fowler Museum will be held Monday, Feb. 14. “Central Nigeria Unmasked: Arts of the Benue River Valley” unmasks the history of Central Nigeria by examining the dynamic interrelationships among its peoples and their ritual arts. You can see 150 wood sculptures, masks, ceramic vessels as well as elaborate bronze and iron regalia. There will also be Valentine’s Day treats in the courtyard served from 2-4 p.m. ==================And for those looking for (almost) eternal love, this blog offers:[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i96M0YDfGE]

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“It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” May Apply to the UC Pension

Byuclafaculty

In previous posts on this blog, we kept you informed on the various steps up to the pension changes adopted by the UC Regents last December. But we have also noted that what the Regents did may not be the final word. There could be an initiative on the ballot that would override what the Regents did, sweeping UC into some general state/local pension changes. Most recently, the Legislative Analyst indicated the state might aid UC’s pension funding – but for a price involving some further changes. See the earlier post on that development. In this post, two reports are…