Tennessee budget shortfall creates problems for higher education - the Mountain Press

Gov. Bill Haslam has announced some big initiatives over the past year when it comes to higher education. With the launch of the Drive to 55 program, Haslam laid out his plans to essentially make two years of community college free for students. It’s part of the larger effort to bring the percentage of Tennesseans with college degrees or certifications to 55 percent by the year 2025. But Friday, Tennesseans learned of a new potential roadblock in achieving that goal. The Associated Press reported that members of the Tennessee Board of Regents are concerned that a shortfall in state tax collections will negatively impact the amount of funding for the state’s colleges and universities. Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey said the $260 million general fund revenue gap could force Tennessee to cancel planned pay raises for state employees and reduce discussed spending on higher education. http://www.themountainpress.com/opinion/x1548111918/Budget-shortfall-creates-problems-for-higher-education