State who accept stimulus funds must maintain university support

College Search & Selection
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<p>Have any of you been following the provisions of the stimulus package?</p>

<p>In an earlier version, states which accepted the federal stimulus funds had to maintain (or restore) funding for public universities to at least FY2006 levels. </p>

<p>Short term, it would be good news for universities, but if the funds have to come from state GF coffers, it's very bad news for those states that were depending on cuts to higher ed to help balance the budget. States in dire straits can ask for an exception.</p>

<p>It could also mean that after several years of budget protection (which is what the early version offered), public higher ed would be fair game for cuts, and possibly deep ones considering that many other state priorities would have been taking all the cuts in the interim.</p>

<p>I have seen very little press discussion of this--anyone else?</p>

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<p>Good question. Don't know. In the overall news higher ed is way on the back pages.</p>

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<p>What's up with that--I thought the world revolved around me.</p>

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<p>Sort of off topic, but I think it's disgusting that my state legislature is licking their chops at this federal "windfall" to help close our projected budget deficit. Robbing Peter to pay Paul...or just start the printing presses.</p>

<p>Education is supposed to be a state issue. But if states can't manage their finances, the federal government has a right to impose restricitions on how the money is to be spent.</p>

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<p>Hasn't California complained for years it sends more to DC than it gets back? Now it can even the score a little. ;-)</p>