University leaders prepare for lean biennium

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana's higher education leaders are bracing for more tough budget battles as state lawmakers prepare to write Indiana's next two-year budget.

The presidents of Indiana University and Vincennes University told members of the State Budget Committee on Thursday they have been doing more with less as state aid has flat-lined. Lawmakers will return in January to work with Gov.-elect Mike Pence on the state budget.

Indiana's universities have felt the dual pinch of budget cuts plus requests from the state that they cap tuition increases over the last few years.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley cautioned that tax collections could continue on a slow pace and state lawmakers are likely to face extensive demands from agencies and groups whose budgets were cut over the last four or five years.