May 17, 2004
CAPITOL IDEAS: College Affordability, Gambling, Unfunded Federal Mandates and Childcare
Capitol Ideas is a bi-monthly publication intended provided state capitol journalists with the latest trends and information about the nation's state legislatures.
College Affordability: A bachelor’s degree is becoming a must for people who want high-paying jobs in today’s economy. At the same time, college costs are surging, according to the new NCSL publication College Affordability. The average tuition at four-year public colleges in 2003-2004 was 14.1 percent higher than it was in 2001-2002. Room and board increased by 6.6 percent during the same time period. Students are graduating with record amounts of debt. Some tuition increases can be considered results of state budget cuts. But many states are trying help make college more affordable with programs like merit-based scholarships, tuition tax credits and tuition guarantees. Request a copy of College Affordability at press-room@ncsl.org.
Gambling Expansions: In response to years of economic difficulty, many states have expanded gambling in order to bring in more revenue and stimulate economic development. View a chart detailing gambling developments in the states in 2004 at: www.ncsl.org/programs/econ/gamblingdev04.htm.
State Budget Gaps and Unfunded Federal Mandates: At the end of April, states still had a cumulative $36 billion budget gap to close for fiscal year 2005. States are also facing at least $33 billion in unfunded federal mandates in fiscal year 2005. These programs states are forced to implement accounted for the equivalent of 92 percent of their cumulative 2005 budget shortfall in April. View the first edition of NCSL’s Mandate Monitor at www.ncsl.org/programs/press/mandatemonitor.pdf. For a copy of the latest Mandate Monitor, which identifies 50 federal bills that would result in unfunded mandates to states, send an email to press-room@ncsl.org. The public affairs department can also get you a copy of State Budget Update: April 2004 and interviews with experts on state budgets and unfunded mandates.
Childcare and Early Education: States are taking steps to improve childcare and early education. Twenty one states, for example, are operating scholarship programs for educators of young children. North Carolina and Kentucky have put in place public rating systems. And in Maine, child care providers who are accredited receive a 10 percent increase in subsidies for contracts and vouchers. And to encourage parents to enroll their children in accredited programs, Maine gives a state income tax credit to families who do. Four new publications on childcare and early education are available through NCSL. For copies, contact the public affairs staff at press-room@ncsl.org.
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