Ellen Smith, assistant vice president, represents and informs the Univesity on issues such as financial aid, Medicare and Medicaid, research funds and tax policies as they pertain to higher education.

Where to Find It

The Federal Relations Web is accessible on the Administration and Index pages of ColumbiaWeb.


VOL. 23, NO. 8	OCTOBER 31, 1997

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Bills in Congress Still Await Passage

By Ellen S. Smith

lthough some appropriations or annual funding bills are not finally finished, no government shut down is likely because a temporary spending measure was passed that funds all agencies through Nov. 7, 1997.

Bills not yet passed in final form include those funding the National Institutes for Health, NOAA and the Education Department. It is expected that controversial issues will be worked out before Nov. 7 and the agencies will be fully funded.

In an effort to ease implementation of the new education tax provisions passed during the summer, the departments of Treasury and Education and the Internal Revenue Service met with individuals in the student aid community to discuss implementation and reporting issues. Another meeting is scheduled in November. Executive Director of Student Financial Services, Kate Wilson, attended the October meeting.

For additional information on issues noted above, please contact Ellen S. Smith, assistant vice president and director of federal relations at ess9@columbia.edu.