Overview of Representative Fairclough and UAA

In her first year, Representative Fairclough supported the budget bills that were favorable to the University. However, in 2008 Representative Fairclough moved and voted in support of a $7 million cut in the UA budget request as a member of the House Finance University Subcommittee. Representative Fairclough also expressed opposition to HB397 which would provide need-based student financial aid.

In 2009 and 2010 as the chair of the House University Subcommittee, Representative Fairclough recommended reducing the University’s budget request below that of the governor’s budget. She was controversial during the subcommittee hearings. She supported a ratio formula with the stated goal of lowering state support for UA. However she did take the time to engage in broad and important university budget discussions and to visit the UAA campus several times. Representative Fairclough was a cosponsor of HB184 which will help UA by increasing the debt authorization. Representative Fairclough was one of the co-chairs for the UA Boosters Caucus.

In 2011, the UA House Subcommittee which was again chaired by Representative Fairclough was more supportive of the University by recommending in March 2011 an operating budget slightly higher than the Governor’s recommendation.