Lawmakers debate higher education funding bill

JACKSON — The Mississippi House has passed a bill designed to study whether funding for the state’s 15 community colleges and eight public universities should be based on productivity.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that the measure was passed 120-1 Wednesday, but held for more debate. It earlier passed the Senate so if the bill is released in the House, it will head to Republican Gov. Haley Barbour’s desk.

Barbour had advocated in his budget proposal a new funding mechanism for community colleges and universities “based upon productivity goals and accomplishments rather than enrollment.”

The bill calls for the Education Achievement Council to study the issue and make a recommendation to the 2013 Legislature.