Second Round of Senate Higher Education Oversight Subcommittee Hearings Announced for December
The December hearings are expected to focus on how Tennessee’s three major higher education entities interact, how board and commission members are selected, and duties of those board members.
Senate Panel Zeros In on Diversity Funding at UT
The Subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Joey Hensely (R-Hohenwald), spent the majority of their time diving into diversity efforts and associated spending at University of Tennessee campuses.
Legislators Pass State Budget, Includes UT’s Top Capital Priority
State lawmakers passed the State budget today, avoiding legislative attempts in the House to remove and/or reduce state funding for UT’s highest priority capital project, the West Tennessee 4-H Camp and Conference Center. Rep. Tim Wirgau (R-Buchanan) introduced and then withdrew an amendment on the House floor seeking to strip state funding from the project. … Continued
Bill Exempting Higher Education Employee Performance Evaluations from the Public Record Signed Into Law
Governor Bill Haslam signed into law on Thursday a measure exempting public higher education employee performance evaluations from the public record, essentially correcting a public policy oversight in state law dealing with public employees. Since the passage of the TEAM Act in 2012, state service employee performance evaluations have not been part of the public … Continued
Governor’s Budget Amendment Released
On Tuesday, the Haslam Administration released its proposed budget amendment. The Administration’s budget amendment provides an opportunity to alter the original budget proposal based on the State’s revenue trends. Citing strong sales tax numbers and revenue increases from “a one-time event,” the Administration amendment increases funding for education and health and doubles the contribution to … Continued