Arizona's institutions continue reviewing unmet needs as a follow-up to issues raised on community colleges offering baccalaureate programs.

Appropriations to improve the transfer articulation system will fund a full-time statewide articulation facilitator, computerized course applicability system, and a data warehouse to track student information.

The governor vetoed an appropriation note requiring universities to set aside incentive funding for a new performance bonus plan.

Legislation continues for ten years the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges, the Commission for Postsecondary Education, and participation in WICHE.

Idaho's FY 99 appropriation was close to 9 percent higher than last year's.

Tuition increased almost 8 percent at two-year colleges and 9.3 percent at four-year institutions.

Legislation established a budget stabilization fund which could reduce general fund dollars available to higher education by $2 million per year over the next three years.

The state's new electronic signature and filing act will enhance the use of technology in official communications between schools and students.

New Mexico's lawmakers restricted the creation of new campuses and established a review and approval process by the Commission on Higher Education and the legislature for creating public campuses or institutions.

The governor line-item vetoed funding that would have strengthened the Commission on Higher Education's authority to conduct statewide planning and program review and to develop and publish accountability reports for postsecondary education.

Legislation was enacted that requires public postsecondary education governing boards to make public the names of at least five finalists being considered during the presidential search.

South Dakota legislators approved a new salary competitiveness plan for faculty and exempt staff. Lawmakers allowed the higher education system to retain general funds for salary enhancements along with approving a new performance-based funding framework developed for FY 97.

Legislation mandated articulation between the technical institutes and the state universities.

Higher education's share of the state budget for FY 99 increased by 4.3 percent over FY 98.

Tuition for residents at four-year institutions increased by 4 percent for fall 1998.

Utah's appropriation to higher education in FY 99 increased by 4.6 percent over the previous year's appropriation.

Tuition for resident students at two- and four-year institutions increased by 2.7 percent for fall 1998-about the lowest increase in the region for four-year institutions.

Legislation established a matching grants program as an incentive for institutions to raise money for scholarships at community colleges, branch campuses, and centers.

Legislators approved a sales tax exemption for amounts paid for admission to athletic events at certain higher education institutions; savings will support women's athletics.

Washington legislation refocused the delivery of higher education in the Spokane area, and the Higher Education Board will decide programs to be offered by two area institutions.

Lawmakers established the Advanced College Tuition Payment Program with start-up funding.

Governing boards will now have one student member each appointed by the governor.

The FY 99 appropriation to higher education increased by 5.8 percent over the FY 98 appropriation; higher education's budget share remained unchanged from the prior year.

Tuition and fees for resident students increased by 4 percent for fall 1998.

Wyoming's legislators targeted primarily K-12 funding and additional state taxes.

Community colleges received funding to bring employee salaries to 90 percent of comparative groups; the University of Wyoming received $7.8 million for salaries.

Higher education's share of the state budget remained unchanged for the University of Wyoming, but declined .2 percent for community colleges.

Students at community colleges will see an 8.5 percent increase in tuition in fall1998; there was no increase for University of Wyoming students.