State Colleges and Universities and the 2006 Elections

Looking ahead from the 2006 elections, higher education will be an important topic in public policy discussions at the federal and state levels. State colleges and universities will need to pay attention as discussions about access, affordability, and accountability play out in the coming year.

Context
With public dissatisfaction of the war in Iraq at an all-time high, Democrats made significant gains in the mid-term elections of 2006. They will control Congress for the first time since 1994 and will occupy the majority of governor's mansions and statehouse seats. High on their domestic agenda are increasing the minimum wage, removing barriers to stem cell research, making college affordable for all, and reforming health care.
It is impossible to predict how successful the Democrats will be in achieving their legislative priorities. Many elected Democrats were middle-of-the-road or conservative candidates, the U.S. Senate is evenly divided, and there is a Republican in the White House. With a divided government for the first time in a dozen years, almost any outcome is possible. State colleges and universities have much at stake and they need to stay informed.

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