ABOR opposes further cuts to universities

The Arizona Board or Regents has formally opposed midyear FY 10 budget cuts for the state university system.

In a letter to Gov. Jan Brewer, ABOR President Ernest Calderón said additional budget cuts would violate the terms of receiving federal stimulus money, and the regents will oppose any request to waive the terms. Further, the regents will oppose any attempts by the state Legislature to access local funds.

“The hard-earned monies that parents and students pay to support their education should not be used to balance the state budget,”Calderón said.

The governor has asked all state agencies to model a 15 percent cut to their budgets. This cut, on top of the $231.5 million the unviersities already have seen since FY08, would be equal to more than the annual state support for Northern Arizona University.