Governor Terry Branstad is expressing support for students and parents, but not yet embracing a tuition freeze for Iowa residents attending the three state universities in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City. The board that governs Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I has endorsed keeping next year’s tuition rates at this year’s levels, but warns they’ll have to raise tuition if the governor and legislators don’t provide at least 16 million more to the universities next year. “I’m certainly empathetic with the students and their parents who have seen significant increases in the two previous administrations,” Branstad says.

That’s a reference to the 12-year period when Tom Vilsack and Chet Culver served as governor. During Branstad’s first, 16-year run as governor, tuition increases ranged from three-point-two percent up to nearly 13 percent. “I want to make sure that we try to keep higher education affordable for Iowa families,” Branstad says.

But Branstad says he needs to wait for a report on state tax revenue and a few other items before he puts together his own state budget plan — and makes a recommendation on state taxpayer support of the three universities. By law, Branstad must present legislators with a state budget proposal by the end of January, but he has often released it earlier.

(Radio Iowa)

The City Council in Audubon, is expected to act this evening on approving the plans and specifications for the water tower repair and improvement project. A resolution approving the plans and specs will come before the Council after they hear from a representative with J-E-O Consulting about the matter. The Council is also expected to act on authorizing JEO to submit plans to the Iowa DNR for the project, which includes painting the tower. On a related note, the Audubon City Council will act on authorizing JEO to proceed with the bid letting process for the project.

In other business, the Council will discuss repairs to the Police Department office, act on a resolution appointing Tella Knueven, Jen Stetzel and Brandon Toft to the Park and Rec Board, with their terms expiring Dec. 31st, 2014. And, they will act on a resolution  approving a report on Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

The Audubon City Council meeting begins at 7-p.m., in their chambers at City Hall.

A reminder to those interested in the future of education in Iowa, that Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds will be in Atlantic and Council Bluffs tomorrow (Tuesday, December 11th), to hold a community conversations on STEM (Science,  Technology, Engineering and Math), and economic development. The meeting is part of a series of community conversations on the STEM initiative, prior to the start of the 2013 legislative session.

Locally, a Cass County Community Conversation on STEM will be take place 11-a.m., at the Rock Island Depot at 102 Chestnut Street, and in Council Bluffs at 2:30-p.m., in the auditorium of Looft Hall, at Iowa Western Community College.