higher education

Lawmakers Scurry to Keep Bills from Dropping Dead

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:28:56 +0000

Monday lawmakers and lobbyists hustled across the rotunda that connects the chambers to assemble the votes to keep their bills alive, lest they fall victim to “Drop Dead Day” at the Capitol.

Sound ominous?

Frugal Committee Backs Capital Investment for Community Colleges

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:28:24 +0000

The House Appropriations Committee Wednesday approved $60 million in capital spending for the state’s technical colleges over the next five years — despite the state’s tight purse-strings.

Chairman Jim Fannin insisted that investing in the technical college system will grow the economy and the tax base.

THURSDAY: Former LSU Chancellor Jim Wharton

Jim Engster — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:03:05 +0000

Jim talks with former LSU Chancellor James Wharton about the TOPS college tuition grant program and the state of Higher Education in Louisiana.

Budget Cuts Take Toll on Higher Ed

Kelly Connelly — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

After five years of steep budget cuts, some members of LSUnited, the faculty union, are hoping the legislature’s budget negotiations will raise enough revenue to prevent further cuts.

Lawmakers are looking at plans to cut tax exemptions and get rid of one-time funds, which might provide more stability to the state’s universities.

Michael Russo, a librarian and an instructor, said LSU’s finances are dismal.

"A half billion here, a half billion there," Russo said, "I don’t know what else they can cut."

Fact Check: Completing Nichols' Numbers

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 23:28:21 +0000

On the Jim Engster Show Thursday morning, Division of Administration Commissioner Kristy Nichols relied on talking points that have been repeated by officials in the Jindal administration.

The Commissioner has cherry-picked her facts.

Board of Regents Considers Raising Revenue

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:14:29 +0000

The Board of Regents is thinking of ways to bring in new funds to make up for the past five years of budget cuts sustained by the Louisiana University System.

The Board of Regents met for the first time this year on Thursday morning. Newly appointed members Richard Lipsey, Joel Dupre, and Edward Markle were sworn in and got straight to business.

Commissioner of Higher Education Jim Purcell addressed the Board with a presentation on the state of state higher education.

Chairman W. Clinton Rasberry requested the presentation.