Higher ed officials call stimulus waiver shortsighted

Las Vegas Sun ^ | March 20, 2009 | Charlotte Hsu, David McGrath Schwartz

[BAW]

A push to obtain federal stimulus dollars for Nevada without strings attached could ultimately hurt the state college system, higher education officials say.

Gov. Jim Gibbons this week asked the Obama administration to waive a requirement that the state put up more of its money to get stimulus funding for education. Assembly Democrats and Nevada’s three U.S. House representatives supported the request.

But higher education officials, including Chancellor Jim Rogers, want that federal requirement to remain. If it is removed, they contend, the state could underfund the college system, creating a problem that will remain long after the federal money is gone.

Without the exemption, Nevada must spend as much on K-12 and higher education as it did in fiscal 2006 to secure $396 million in stimulus money, of which nearly $325 million would go to K-12 and higher education.

Gibbons’ budget met the bar for K-12. But funding for the college system fell short by $268 million. So in essence, the governor is asking the federal government to grant Nevada permission to reduce higher education spending.

[BAW]

Some governors are starting to understand there are state strings attached to the porkulus money. The incumbent Nevada governor is a Repub.

Education officials like the porkulus offering just fine as it is because it forces more state funding for education.

[goodnesswins]

Chancellor Jim has to protect his pay and that of his staff....http://www.blnz.com/news/2009/02/20/Chancellor_defends_six-figure_salary_staff_2990.html