Utah's Schools Face Another Budget Hit

Utah's higher education system is bracing for another round of budget cuts, following two tough years of reductions. This time, the state is looking at a 5% cut, which could mean $94 million less for public colleges and universities. School leaders are not happy about it, especially since they've already gone through this twice before. The state's money situation isn't great, but it's not terrible either. Lawmakers want to build up a reserve in case things get worse. So, they're asking all state agencies, including schools, to figure out where they can cut 5% of their budgets. K-12 schools got a bit of a break, but higher education is still on the hook for the full amount.School leaders say more cuts will hurt students. They might have to reduce scholarships and other support programs. One leader even asked lawmakers to reconsider, saying the cuts would undo progress made last year. But lawmakers say everyone has to do their part. There are different ideas on how to make these cuts. Some suggest taking back money meant for certain programs, like engineering degrees or scholarships. Others suggest merging some technical colleges to save money. Schools also have their own ideas, like cutting jobs and reducing student support services. It's a tough situation. On one hand, the state needs to be careful with its money. On the other hand, cutting school budgets could have real consequences for students. It's a balancing act, and right now, no one is sure how it will turn out.