Tuition Stability Act Delayed Until 2018
Sen. Steve Dickerson (R-Nashville) has sent his “Tuition Stability Act” to the Senate’s General Subcommittee, and although he plans to pursue the issue again next year, he noted on Wednesday some flaws with his existing language and the difficulty he had getting his plan in a workable form. The bill was never put on notice … Continued
State Budget Update
Lawmakers are yet to begin budget deliberations in a legislation session now anticipated to continue until mid-May. Legislative sessions in recent years have adjourned in mid-April, but the one thing members must do (per the Tennessee Constitution) is pass a balanced budget prior to adjourning. Lawmakers are awaiting the Governor’s Budget Amendment before considering a … Continued
No Amendments Surface in House Finance Budget Hearing
The House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee took up UT’s proposed budget on Monday, March 6. The Committee’s tone was positive, although some questions did arise about recent comments by UT Knoxville Chancellor Beverly Davenport regarding the future of UTK’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Committee members acknowledged and voiced support for UT’s effort to … Continued
Senate Education Committee to Conduct UT Budget Hearing on Wednesday
The Senate Education Committee will conduct UT’s budget hearing on Wednesday, March 1. In recent years, UT’s budget hearings before this Senate Committee have been less focused on the budget proposal itself and more focused on issues facing the University that the Committee has deemed controversial. UT will concentrate budget testimony on efforts underway to … Continued
Proposed Haslam Budget Provides Critical Higher Education Funding
Governor Bill Haslam unveiled his FY 2017-18 budget proposal on Monday evening at the State of the State Address, presenting a $37 billion spending plan with significant investments in higher education. The Governor’s budget fully funds the performance-based funding formula for higher education, providing $25 million in new funds to be allocated amongst Tennessee’s public … Continued