When the training is done the legislators should:
1. understand the "big picture" issues regarding appropriations, tuition, and financial aid and the impact of legislative decisions on affordability and access.
2. identify, debate and disseminate new models of state budgets and state higher
education funding that link appropriations, tuition and financial aid in the four-year and two-year sectors and can favorably impact college access and affordability, especially for low income students.3. provide on-going training and professional development opportunities for new and veteran legislators and legislative leaders on higher education issues and state strategies.
4. have the necessary training, background and skills to build stronger relationships with statewide higher education policymakers and to become engaged participants and leaders in the long-term planning process.
The panel consists of:
* New Mexico Senator Ben Altimarano
* Virginia Senate President Pro Tem John H. Chichester
* Utah Senator Lyle Hillyard
* Wisconsin Representative Rob Kreibich (Co-Chair)
* California Assemblywoman Carol Liu
* Florida Senator Evelyn Lynn
* Connecticut Representative Denise Merrill (Co-Chair)
* Texas Representative Geanie W. Morrison
* Massachusetts Senator Robert O'Leary
* West Virginia Senator Robert Plymale
* Illinois Senate Minority Leader Steve Rauschenberger
* New Jersey Assemblyman Craig Stanley
The commission has met three times and is expected to give its recommendations by the end of this year.
Uh...legislators in training to know how to balance budgets and hold higher ed accountable? Do they really have to go to school for that?
And if they can learn it in three sitttings, why does it take two years to draw conclusions?
Is it any wonder the public institutions are in such a mess when those governing the schools don't know what they are doing and are taking so long to find out?
What do you think?
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