Mortimer motion passes

First, Rep. Shirley Ringo’s motion on the higher ed budget failed on a 4-16 straight party-line vote, with only the four Democrats on JFAC supporting it. Then, Sen. Dean Cameron’s substitute motion failed on a 9-11 vote. Finally, Sen. Dean Mortimer’s original motion passed on a 13-7 vote. Mortimer’s motion calls for a $7,682,500 reduction in state general funds to the state’s colleges and universities next year, a 3.5 percent cut, but reflects an increase in overall funds of 5 percent, or $19 million.