It may not be what they want, but I think we need to put some money there,'' said Senate Finance Chairman Oshel Craigo. Craigo said he is not sure how much money will be made available, but state lottery funds would likely be the source. Craigo and other leading lawmakers are evasive when asked how much increased funding they would like to dedicate to higher education. On two recent occasions Wise said he didn't increase higher education funding because colleges and universities were exempt from a 3 percent spending reduction the governor placed on state agencies in January. Wise also said colleges and universities need to prove themselves to earn funding.
Higher education can move forward without new dollars.
Higher education officials agree, but they also think they need funding to follow legislative directives. Last year, the Legislature approved a plan that revamps the way colleges and universities in the state are funded and governed. The plan calls for the community and technical colleges to become independent and to develop new courses that align with West Virginia's businesses and industries. The plan also says funding for the state's colleges and universities should line up with peer institutions around the country. And a screeching halt is probably not the governor's intent,'' Angel said.