The House passed Governor Hutchinson’s plan to alter the funding formula for higher education by 80-10, with 3 voting present. The bill, filed by Rep. Mark Lowery (R-Maumelle), would send state dollars to public colleges and universities based on performance. The state now awards colleges and universities money mostly based on enrollment.
The bill would not establish a new funding model. Rather, it would require the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize a model developed by the state Department of Education following principles set forth in the legislation.
The bill now heads to the Senate Education Committee.