This report provides a broad overview of higher education expenditure trends in Illinois from fiscal year (FY) 1990 to FY 1994. It focuses on allocations and expenditures since FY 1992, when the Priorities, Quality, and Productivity (PQP) initiative was implemented. Eighteen tables present statistical data on various categories of expenditures.…

There appears to be growing concern that state systems of financing capital outlay may be vulnerable to successful legal challenge. Outlines considerations for the development of a defensible conceptual base for allocating scarce capital outlay funds. (Author/MLF)

Examines local politics, economics, and other factors contributing to the results of the 1987 and 1992 tax elections in a Louisiana city-parish. Results suggest that proponents of educational agendas should couch propositions in terms of developmental policies, because all socioeconomic segments tend to support development. (SLD)

A study was conducted by the Grants Campus of New Mexico State University to determine the campus' economic impact on its service area. Data from the 1993-94 academic year were gathered from state, county, and institutional reports, and surveys conducted of students and college employees. Economic data were analyzed on three levels: level I funds,…

This paper provides a historical review of equity in funding education in Alberta. It describes government attempts to address fiscal inequities and shows how the introduction of full spending in 1994 addressed many of the equity problems in Alberta. Full provincial funding of education has proved an overall success, but it faces the following…

The 13 Chapters in this book address the important issue of how schools and school districts allocate their resources. The book summarizes the emerging research in educational resource allocations (tax dollars) at the district, school, and classroom levels. Following the preface by Lawrence O. Picus, the chapters include: (1) "Why Do We Need to…

A study was done of State University of New York (SUNY) revenue sources and operating costs for fiscal year 1988-89 in comparison to "peer" public university systems in 17 other states. In particular the study focused on SUNY cost effectiveness, tuition and fee schedules, the proportion of costs offset by tuition and fees and the…

This paper presents an overview of Florida's fiscal status and the state of its educational fiscal reform. Five areas of concern are identified regarding educational finance--adequacy of funding, educational reform initiatives including accountability, equity, alternative tax sources, and communication. These issues indicate a highly unstable…

The last 2 years have been a period of dramatic fiscal change in the states. The states' fiscal condition continued to weaken along with the economy toward the end of the 1980s. This caused 26 states to raise more than $10 billion in new revenues in fiscal 1991 in an effort to maintain current programs. The failure of the economy to recover forced…

Achieving a state education finance program that is fair to students, taxpayers, teachers, and school districts is complicated by varying student needs and different property tax rates and school expenses among districts. Attempts at equitable allocation of state aid funds and other educational resources should be guided by the principles of…

A description and analysis of two failed local finance reform efforts in Pennsylvania between 1987 and 1989--a blue ribbon tax reform commission and a state constitutional amendment--are presented in this report. Constraints imposed during the reform design stage and two political "tar pits"--household/business proportion of local taxes,…

This paper uses data from a large statewide survey of Massachusetts residents to measure support for Proposition 2 1/2. Proposition 2 1/2 required high tax rate communities to reduce property tax levies 15 percent per year until the tax rate is reduced to the maximum allowable rate of 2 1/2 percent of full and fair market value. Specifically, this…

A fact sheet reported medical care costs incurred and funding sources received by county and local governments in Blaine and Hill Counties, Montana, to provide care for indigent Indians. Data obtained from county clerk and recorder offices and welfare departments showed that Blaine County spent about 1% of its operating revenue on indigent medical…

"Grapevine" presents timely data on state tax legislation, state appropriations for universities, colleges, and junior colleges, and legislation affecting education beyond the high school. This compilation presents issues of "Grapevine," published between 1977 and 1988, containing such articles on community colleges as: (1) "State 2-Year Colleges…

A majority of the 50 states are currently experiencing budget problems as a result of recent changes in the fiscal roles of federal, state, and local governments. Four major factors are responsible for the recent deterioration of state budgets: (1) reductions in federal aid to states and localities, (2) changes in the federal corporate and…