Uses a political fragmentation index to calculate how political power affects educational spending in Virginia. Compares different political voices relative to each other, examines the role of power distribution, and considers political fragmentation across several dimensions. Along with traditional demand variables, interest group pressures…

Public education in Virginia during fiscal year 2002 is characterized by fiscal crisis, reductions in funds, and no new salary increases for state employees including teachers and university faculty. The current context of recession and budget deficits, together with tax reductions imposed by the previous gubernatorial administration and current…

The firing of the director of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia after a 20-year tenure and similar changes in other states have raised concerns that higher education policy boards face tightened political control. Some Virginia legislators feel the dismissal has left the council with little credibility, and substituted political…