Texas Higher education leaders face uphill budget battle - Ralph K.M. Haurwitz, American-Statesman

Higher education leaders in Texas were hoping to recover considerable ground in the legislative session that began last week following cuts two years ago of nearly $1 billion in state funding. They’re still expressing optimism, but they could face an uphill battle based on the 2014-15 budgets proposed in the state House and Senate. Under those bills, spending would decline again, albeit by much less. The House bill would trim state funding for the two-year higher education budget to $14.8 billion from the $15.1 billion allocated for the current biennium, according to Legislative Budget Board documents. The Senate budget would cut spending to $14.9 billion. Student financial aid spending would total $935.3 million for the biennium under the House and Senate bills. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board had requested $1.1 billion for financial aid. http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/higher-education-leaders-face-uphill-budget-battle/nTzfH/