As state politicians await the beginning of the next Iowa General Assembly in January, university and Iowa Board of Regents officials prepare to work with lawmakers to secure funding for Iowa’s state universities.

Andy Baumert, Iowa State’s state relations officer, said he acts as a liaison between Iowa State and the Legislature, and when the General Assembly is in session he works full time at the Capitol.

Baumert said the university has forged a strong relationship with lawmakers during the past few legislative sessions.

“I think the relationship has a solid base,” he said. “Particularly in the last year or so, with the development of legislation that corresponds with what the board’s priorities are.”

He said the Board of Regents has worked with state lawmakers to develop a legislative plan known as the Partnership for Transformation and Excellence, a legislative agenda that outlines the board’s priorities.

As part of the four-year plan, Baumert said last year the board requested $40 million from the Legislature, $24 million of which was granted from the general fund. He said the other $16 million came from sources such as economic development funds and Medicaid programs at the University of Iowa hospitals and clinics.

He said although only a portion of the money came from the general fund, he was happy with the results.

“In the context of the four previous fiscal years, which had seen state budget cuts of more than $100 million from the three Regents universities, it was a positive step,” he said.

The Regents will ask the Legislature for another $40 million during the upcoming session, he said.

Iowa City Regent Robert Downer said the board will stick with its four-year plan rather than ask for more funding on top of the $40 million.

“My feeling is that a deal is a deal,” Downer said. “I would plan to honor that commitment to move forward with the $40 million and not press our luck, so to speak.”

He said the board could begin financing large projects, such as a new chemistry building at Iowa State, by means other than the Legislature’s general fund.

“Two years ago, bonding projects funded construction for Coover Hall and Veterinary Medicine,” he said. “Money can be generated through the sale of bonds.”

Downer said such a project would require approval by the Legislature.

Baumert said that, as part of the Partnership for Transformation and Excellence plan, for every $2 allocated to the Regents by the legislature, the Board must redirect $1 toward high-priority university programs that could more efficiently use the funding.

“Each university has to identify programs that money will be reallocated toward,” he said. “For the next session, the board is once again renewing its commitment to the reallocation process.”

Rep. Jim Kurtenbach, R-Nevada, said he expects the Board of Regents to receive roughly the same funding it did during the last session, but said budget specifics may not be worked out for some time.

“I would expect the Regents to get a similar number, but I hate to speculate this soon,” said Kurtenbach, ISU associate professor of accounting. “What I try to do is see that the Regents institutions are treated fairly. I want K-12, community colleges and the state schools treated in an equitable fashion.”

Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said he would support allocating the $40 million to the Regents.

“My top issue is restoring funding for Iowa State,” said Quirmbach, associate professor of economics. “We’ve had a roughly 70 percent increase in tuition and expenses over the past half-dozen years, and ISU enrollment is down a couple thousand. We need to look at that.”