Date: 12/03/2014

Final
SMART Government Act Hearing for the Department of Higher Education

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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09:09 AM -- SMART Government Act Hearing for the Department of Higher Education

Senator Kerr, chair, welcomed the committee members to the Joint Education Committee. He invited Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia, Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education (DHE), to the table to begin his presentation. Copies of his powerpoint presentation were distributed to the committee (Attachment A). Lt. Governor Garcia explained that the State Measurements for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act looks at each department's performance and makes sure that state funding is tied to performance. He provided an overview of the department and the SMART Act requirements and told the committee what the department is doing to adhere to the requirements. He provided historical background information about DHE and explained that it is a coordinating agency and not a regulatory agency.

14JtEdSMARTAct1203AttachA.pdf14JtEdSMARTAct1203AttachA.pdf

09:14 AM

Lt. Governor Garcia reviewed the organizational structure of the department, as well as its strategic priorities. He told the committee that CollegeInvest, of which DHE has oversight, manages over $3 billion in assets and receives no state money. He talked about the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE), which is the state's central policy-making board for higher education, and its relationship with the General Assembly and the governing boards of each individual institution. He discussed several policies and programs that have been implemented to help DHE achieve its strategic priorities.


09:20 AM

Lt. Governor Garcia talked about the different types of higher education institutions in Colorado, as well as the future needs of Colorado's workforce and the economic impact of a post-secondary credential. He answered questions from the committee about the impact of the Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) bill on institutions and about the percentage of students who are able to graduate college in four years.


09:30 AM

He told the committee about the CCHE master plan, Colorado Competes, and its relationship to statewide department goals, and about the funding requirements established by House Bill 14-1319. The committee discussed the public education and outreach that have gone into developing the funding model required by HB 14-1319 and about funding for College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipends.


09:42 AM

Lt. Governor Garcia answered questions from the committee and explained that the total funding request this year shows a $75.6 million increase from last year. The committee discussed the need to expand occupational and vocational programs in the state.