December State Legislative Update

 

State Legislative Update                               

December 2016

Legislative news from across the SASFAA region, prepared by your 2016-2017 SASFAA Legislative Relations Committee.

Christen Neher – SASFAA Legislative Relations Chair

Ron Gambill – TASFAA Governmental Relations Chair
Mary Kosin – NCASFAA Legislative Advisory Chair
Vanessa Fulton – GASFAA Legislative Affairs Chair
Erin Klarer – KASFAA Legislative Chair
Jennifer Epperson – AASFAA Legislative Relations Chair
Francisco Valines – FASFAA Legislative Relation Chair
Della Bays – VASFAA Government Relations Chair
Amanda Holliday-Gray – MASFAA Legislative Chair
Joey Derrick – SCASFAA Legislative Relations Chair
Amy Berrier – SASFAA Past President
Mike O’Grady – Legislative Knowledge Expert

 

Alabama

Community colleges accepting ‘reverse transfer’ credits from 4-year schools:
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/11/community_colleges_accepting_r.html#incart_river_index

 

Tennessee

The Community College Reconnect Grant began the Fall of 2016 and $1.5 million was disbursed to the community colleges in Tennessee.  The grant provides a last dollar scholarship to independent students who have earned 30 credit hours or more towards their associate degree.  The program is a pilot project and will be reevaluated.

 

Kentucky

Following the November 8^th election, the majority party in the House has flipped from Democrat to Republican, which has not been that way since 1921.  The 64/36 split also creates a supermajority. Kentucky now has a Republican held House, Senate and Governor’s office.

Normally the legislature convenes on the first Tuesday in January, at which time leadership elections are held for both chambers and committee assignments are shared. However, the new House majority has already held leadership elections.  http://mycn2.com/politics/house-republicans-pick-four-new-members-of-leadership-team.

Some long-held Republican agenda items will now see movement: charter schools, pro-life legislation, and “Right to Work” bills. Some talk of tax reform has surfaced, although the short 30 day legislative session may prove challenging to accomplish such a large undertaking. http://mycn2.com/politics/reforming-the-tax-code-where-the-experts-see-the-discussion-ahead-of-2017

With 25 new House members, now is a great time for our elected leaders to get to know KASFAA!

The Second Annual KASFAA Day at the Capitol will be Tuesday, February 28^th. The Government Affairs Committee will work on getting KASFAA members face time with key decision makers representing their school and the state. We will also sit in on a committee meeting or two, enjoy fine dining in the cafeteria, and observe the action the House and Senate floor. Please email eklarer@kheaa.com if you are interested in participating!

Mississippi

Mississippi Public Universities launches Complete 2 Compete in order to assist former students to help them complete their degrees. Complete 2 Compete is a statewide program focused on encouraging Mississippi adults who have completed some college, but no degree, to return to college and complete the requirements necessary to earn their degrees. With close to 300,000 residents who, in the past 15 years, have started but not earned a degree, this initiative would be greatly beneficial for many Mississippians.

Please find the following press release for more details: http://www.mississippi.edu/ihl/newsstory.asp?ID=1269

North Carolina

The highly contested NC Governor's race has been decided - http://myfox8.com/2016/12/05/pat-mccrory-concedes-election-roy-cooper-is-north-carolinas-newest-governor/

Rep. Virginia Foxx has been selected as Chairwoman of House Committee on Education and the Workforce - http://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401157