PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The House Finance Committee has cut $1 million from the Office of Higher Education -- 43 percent of its operating budget.
Mike Trainor, a spokesman for the state Board of Education, confirmed the reduction to the office's $2.3 million operating budget. The office oversees the state's three public colleges and includes 12 staff, including higher education Commissioner Raymond M. DiPasquale.
Board Chairwoman Eva-Marie Mancuso was traveling Friday and could not be reached for comment. "She and the board are working closely with the state budget office to understand the rationale for this cut," Trainor said. "we hope there is restoration of that money."
Trainor would not speculate on the impact this cut would have on the office. The office is scheduled to be abolished in June 2014.