SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 67

(By Senators Unger and Klempa)

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study general revenue funding of community and technical colleges in this state.

    Whereas, There are ten community and technical colleges throughout this state which are funded from general revenue in the budget bill. Over $71 million is appropriated and expended through Higher Education - West Virginia Council for Community and Technical Education; and

    Whereas, There is a great disparity in the funding levels of the community and technical colleges. The existing policy for disbursing funds to the community and technical colleges has resulted in community and technical colleges with the greatest growth in enrollment receiving less funding; and

    Whereas, An objective measure of the performance of community and technical colleges is the number of degrees earned and the funds expended per student for the degree earned. Such an objective measurement further highlights the inequities of the current funding system for our community and technical colleges; and

    Whereas, There has been no justification presented to the Legislature explaining this disparity; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study general revenue funding of community and technical colleges in this state; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2013, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.