Posts Categorized: News

NE’s 2013 Legislative Sessions: Maine

Maine lawmakers averted a government shutdown, overriding Gov. Paul LePage’s veto of the budget for FY14 and FY15. Both branches exceeded the required two-thirds vote, with the House voting 114–34 in support of the override, and the Senate voting 26-9 in support. While Democrats won the budget battle in rejecting LePage’s budget plan, they lost a number of battles including a mo...

NE’s 2013 Legislative Sessions: New Hampshire

Granite State lawmakers on June 26 approved a $10.7 billion two-year budget with bipartisan support. Members of the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, unanimously supported the budget, while more than 300 of the 400-member Democrat-controlled House approved the spending package. Bipartisan agreement on the two-year plan was bolstered by growth in March and April tax revenues, which gener...

NE’s 2013 Legislative Sessions: Rhode Island

Lawmakers passed a budget totaling $8.2 billion with no new fees or taxes and worked to address the state’s ailing business climate by providing structural changes and government reforms. Gov. Lincoln Chafee opposed the structural changes, but let the bill become law without his signature. The budget provides for: payment of $2.5 million related to the state-supported bonds of baseball st...

NE’s 2013 Legislative Sessions: Connecticut

The school shootings in Newtown dominated the beginning of the 2013 legislative session. Lawmakers passed a bipartisan gun violence prevention bill, the toughest in the nation. The legislation further restricts the use of assault weapons and imposes more background checks and restrictions on the sale of high-capacity magazine clips. In addition, both branches of the General Assembly adopted a free...

NE’s 2013 Legislative Sessions: Vermont

NEJHE will report on new education-related laws and other legislative highlights from each New England statehouse, starting with Vermont ... On May 14, Vermont lawmakers wrapped up their session by passing a $5.2 billion budget for FY14. House and Senate proposals to changes in the income tax fell by the wayside as did proposed increases in taxes on bottled water, soft drinks, candy, dietary su...

DC Shuttle: Congress Looks to Redraw PK-12, Higher Ed Laws

Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is due for reauthorization and proposals have been introduced in the House and Senate. (The last reauthorization of ESEA was the No Child Left Behind under President George W. Bush.) On July 19, the House passed the Student Success Act (H.R. 5). The bill would reduce the federal role in public education and c...

Among Comings and Goings, Conn. College Plucks News Prez from Brown

BergeronKatherine Bergeron, dean of the college at Brown University, was named the 11th president of Connecticut College, effective Jan. 1, 2014.****The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities, appointed Asnuntuck Community College CFO and Dean of Administration James Lombella to be the interim president of the college, ...

Obama’s Higher Ed Proposals

When President Obama outlined his higher education agenda in Buffalo last week, commentators tuned out the beat of war drums (this time against Syria) and began dissecting the president's plan on the college front. The overriding question: Can the new models conceived of by consultants and think tanks over the past decade—and now advanced by the president—work to lower cost without sac...

Last Chance to Register for the NE Campus Sustainability Forum!

Don't Miss Out on the New England Campus Sustainability Forum This Friday! Friday Sept. 20, 2013 Hosted by the Colleges of the Fenway 550 Huntington Ave  Boston, MA 02115 The New England Campus Sustainability Forum has once again attracted strong headliners to create an engaging and informative day. Julian Agyeman, noted climate and sustainability justice champion; Mary P...

Among Comings and Goings, Conn. Turnover Continues; Kelley Leaves Mass DHE for Quincy College

Lewis Robinson Jr. stepped down as chair of Connecticut's Board of Regents of Higher Education, a post he had held since July 2011. As the Connecticut Mirror reported, "The system was hit by a series of controversies last fall that included the improper granting of double-digit percentage pay raises for central office staff and disclosure that the community college presidents were b...