Updates

The legislature adjourned on June 14th.  They passed a mostly status-quo budget, with some exceptions. For community colleges, this means that we will receive the same amount of general aid, Last Dollar Scholar, and Skilled Worker & Job Creation (funding programs like PACE, ABE, ELL, etc) as last year. The Regents enterprise will be reduced by $8 million (1.3%).  The legislature passed a measure expanding eligibility for the Last Dollar Scholar to include 19 year olds and high school graduates who take part-time summer classes.  It also passed legislation increasing options in hiring CTE instructors, while stopping the expansion of EMS training providers and a proposal to provide up to $7,000 per student for organizations that would provide a workforce diploma.

Given the financial constraints the state is facing, this was a positive session for community colleges.