Issues to Watch

Governance: Arizona may revisit legislation allowing counties to organize "provisional" community county districts. The Idaho House Education Committee held a legislative proposal designed to clarify the constitutional authority of the State Board of Education and other issues; the bill may resurface next session. Failed legislation in Utah concerning the Regents' power to acquire higher education facilities may return in 1999.

Financial aid: The Idaho State Board of Education will analyze legislation held in committee that would have created a statewide postsecondary education scholarship fund. Washington's Higher Education Coordinating Board will recommend policy changes in the direction and allocation methodology for the Student Need Grant Program for consideration by the legislature in its 1999 session.

Funding: South Dakota anticipates budget action using the new funding framework's performance criteria. Utah may see continued interest in performance-based funding. Washington may see bill activity tied to accountability, performance measures, and performance budgeting legislation passed in previous sessions. Wyoming anticipates legislation on additional state taxes, capital construction, and deferred maintenance.

Tuition: The South Dakota Regents are studying college savings plans.

Technology: Washington's supplemental budget directs the Higher Education Board to devise accountability measures for distance education and the use of technology in higher education for possible inclusion in the 1999-2001 biennial budget.

Access: The 1998 supplemental budget directs Washington's Office of Financial Management, the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to evaluate alternative ways to assess demand for higher education. South Dakota will continue to work out implementation of mandated articulation between technical institutes and universities.

Other: Utah may see revisions to the higher education master plan. Wyoming may look at clarifying the use of public funds to support auxiliary enterprises.