Education, Research Initiatives Slated for Funding in State Budgets

Just as several states have announced projected budget shortfalls, at least three governors have revealed stable fiscal conditions for the coming year with proposed funding to support new and expanded education and research initiatives.

 

South Dakota

Gov. Mike Rounds unveiled his fiscal year 2009 budget recommendation to lawmakers last week, which includes funding for construction and operation of a high-speed data network connecting universities and research centers across the state. The High Speed Research, Education and Economic Development Network is a dim-fiber optic solution that will enable all six universities, the underground laboratory at Homestake Mine, University Center, EROS data center, and state government to share massive amounts of research data with scientists worldwide by utilizing the highest network speeds available, according to the governor’s press office.



The bulk of the construction costs - $8 million - is provided through a grant from the Great Plains Education Foundation. Gov. Rounds is recommending $3.8 million in FY09 general funds for remaining construction costs and $887,000 in operating costs. SDN Communications will build the network and provide $10 million in incentives for state broadband needs. Overall, the project represents a $30 million investment over 20 years.

 

Gov. Rounds said in a press release that the effort will help the state to achieve its goal of becoming a recognized leader in research and technology development under the 2010 initiative, an aggressive economic development strategy that focuses on tourism revenues, entrepreneurship, and R&D (see the Oct. 31, 2003 issue of the Digest).

 

The governor’s recommendation for higher education also includes a $65 million bond proposal over 25 years for science facility and laboratory upgrades at the state's six public universities. The bonds would be paid for with $2.3 million annually in state general funds and $2.3 million from student tuition and fees.

 

Additionally, the Regent’s budget recommendation includes ongoing funding for South Dakota Opportunity Scholarships and a slight increase in funding for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, which specializes in undergraduate and graduate education with an emphasis on science and engineering.

 

Utah

Focusing on raising academic standards across the state, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is asking the legislature to approve $11 million in ongoing funding to be distributed among three initiatives: extended instruction in math and science, establishing a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program, and the Utah Science, Technology and Research (USTAR) high schools – currently in the planning phase. Overall, the governor is recommending $23 million in ongoing and $41.5 million in one-time funding for teacher recruitment, facilities and new and existing programs.

 

In support of the Engineering and Computer Science Initiative at the state’s institutes of higher education, Gov. Huntsman is recommending $2 million to produce engineering and technical graduates that will meet the needs of Utah businesses.

 

The USTAR initiative – created by the legislature in 2006 to leverage the state’s research universities in creating and commercializing technologies – would receive $25.4 million in FY09, which includes an additional $5 million for research and commercialization efforts in energy development. Gov. Huntsman's FY09 budget is available at: http://governor.utah.gov/gopb/budget.html

 

Wyoming

Referring to the state’s FY 2009-10 biennial budget at a news conference as “stable rather than skyrocketing,” Gov. Dave Freudenthal is asking the legislature to approve a significant portion of funds anticipated from the federal government to be used for alternative energy research and technology development. Beginning this month and continuing over the next several years, Wyoming is slated to receive $550 million in Abandoned Mine Lands funds following renewal of the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation program by Congress.

 

Gov. Freudenthal recommends directing $17.4 million to fund critical research efforts at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, $1.2 million for clean coal and carbon sequestration, and $10 million to the State Land and Investment Board for county road and bridge construction costs associated with the proposed coal-to-liquid plant. In anticipation of the federal government delaying transfer of these funds, the governor recommends allocating $28.6 million in general fund reserves for the aforementioned projects.

 

The governor also announced that two of the state’s critical higher education funds providing scholarships and faculty positions should reach their fully funded levels in 2008 – the Hathaway Endowment and the Excellence in Higher Education Endowment Fund (see the March 14, 2005 issue of the Digest). Gov. Freudenthal’s budget recommendation is available at: http://ai.state.wy.us/budget/index.asp