HELENA – The Montana Board of Regents approved a framework that would allow for cuts of up to 5 percent in the university system.
The board says it will honor Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s request to start planning for such a cut, even though it has constitutional authority to establish its own budget.
Schweitzer says state government needs prepare for cuts as revenue estimates continue to drop amid ongoing economic woes.
The regents say such cuts would inevitably affect students, either through increased class sizes, diminished services and possibly higher tuition.
Thursday’s move sets the stage for more specific planning by the colleges. Proposed cuts at other state agencies are expected Friday.
Analysts say the budget woes will continue past this two-year budget period and into the next.