State spending for higher education in Oklahoma: Perceptions from members of the Oklahoma State Legislature

Abstract

A significant body of literature in political science and economics demonstrates that a variety of competing interests impact state spending for higher education. With a changing political landscape and declining university operating budgets funded by state governments, the future of public spending for higher education is uncertain. This dissertation examines state legislator perceptions of state spending for higher education in Oklahoma. In this dissertation, I attempted to explore how legislators perceive state spending for higher education and determine the process by which participants seek to understand higher education's level of financial need in Oklahoma. This qualitative study aimed to explore these perceptions through legislative session observations, committee documents, and participant interviews of legislative members and legislative assistants. The study found that Oklahoma has a higher education governance system with high autonomy, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE). The OSRHE receives money for all public higher education institutions in a lump sum appropriation. The lump sum is one component of a large omnibus budget bill that legislators vote on for all state agencies. Because of higher education's autonomy and the methodical appropriations process, there is little need for most legislators to have an intimate understanding of how public institutions operate financially. The findings suggest that higher education's autonomy and the appropriations process impact how legislators understand and perceive higher education operations and spending habits. The perception of spending habits may have long-term implications on higher education appropriations in Oklahoma.