VOL. 23, NO. 22	APRIL 24, 1998

ongress returned this week to address a large agenda, topped by balanced budget resolutions.

   The Senate Budget Committee had passed their non-binding budget resolution prior to Congressional adjournment. Due to limits placed in last year’s Balanced Budget Agreement, increases for science funding were not as great as those requested in the President’s budget. No increases were projected for student aid.

  The House begins work on its budget resolution this week. Congressional appropriations committees follow broad guidelines, but may make modifications within categories.

Higher Education Reauthorization Act

  Both the House and the Senate will vote on the Higher Education Reauthorization Act (HEA) that was passed out of their respective committees. HEA funds all student aid programs and makes other educational policy decisions in areas such as campus crime policy, reporting on cost of education and reporting on sports activities. Once each body has passed the bills, the House and Senate senior committee members will meet in conference to iron out their differences.

  Restructuring of the Internal Revenue Service remains a major tax issue for this year. Extenders such as employer-provided education assistance may be considered before the end of the session. Just prior to recess, Senator Alfonse D’Amato (R.–N.Y.) introduced a bill entitled the Medical Innovation Tax Credit, which allows private sector entities some tax credits for participating in and funding clinical trials.

  New leadership was appointed at the Executive Office of Management and Budget after the resignation of Franklin Raines. Jack Lew, deputy director since 1995, assumes the helm.

Science and Technology Funding

  Vice President Al Gore announced that three communications and technology companies will donate $500 million of equipment and services for the Next Generation Internet (NGI). The Department of Defense’s DARPA will also invest $50 million in 27 long-term research projects as part of the NGI.

  Congressman Vern Ehlers (R.–Mich.) will hold his fifth hearing for his science policy study on the “Irreplaceable Federal Role in Funding Basic Scientific Research.”

State Education Budget Is Finished

  The state budget includes a maximum TAP increase of $125 to $4,125 for undergraduates. TAP aid to part-time students is also increased. Bundy (direct institutional aid) is increased by $5 million to $49.25 million. The HEOP program received an additional $5.8 million for a total of $22 million. The STEP/CSTEP program received an additional $2.5 million for a total of $10 million.

  For more information, contact Assistant Vice President Ellen S. Smith, director of federal relations, at ess9@columbia.edu.