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This article reports on the outlook for higher education in the state legislature of Massachusetts. Tax revenue is running nearly 8 percent above projections, thanks to a rebounding state economy. Governor Mitt Romney, a Republican, has called for the surplus to be refunded to taxpayers, but the Democrat-controlled legislature instead wants to spend the extra money on expanded health-care coverage, government salaries, and local projects, including more than $160-million for the construction and renovation of facilities at state colleges and universities. Long at loggerheads with Democrats, Romney decided to step aside after his term ends in 2007, a move that could heighten tensions with the legislature and further complicate both budgetary and policy debates.

The article reports that Massachusetts remains one of just six states without a public law school, despite efforts by University of Massachusetts officials in 2004-2005 to establish one. In March the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education rejected a controversial proposal by the university system to acquire the Southern New England School of Law. Massachusetts stepped into the middle of a national debate when lawmakers voted in April to encourage research on human embryonic stem cells. The article also provides statistical information related to the demography of the state.

The article discusses the 2008 United States presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his views on higher education. The author recounts Romney's experience with higher education in Massachusetts while he was governor that included plans to restructure the state university system upon being elected governor that ultimately failed. The author queries how Romney as president will handle issues surrounding higher education and states that Romney is in the process of drafting his platform concerning higher education.

The article reports on a reversal of rules governing stem-cell research in Massachusetts. The author states that a committee appointed by governor Deval Patrick has repealed a rule limiting stem-cell research put in place by former governor Mitt Romney in 2005. The author also states that the rule change was overwhelmingly approved by the state's Democratic Party-controlled legislature. The author also states that one of the rules that was repealed prohibited the creation of a fertilized embryo for the sole use of research.

The article reports on Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who used his emergency fiscal powers to cut the state budget for education. College officials said the cutbacks could delay capital improvements, reduce long-promised pay increases for faculty and staff members, and lead campuses to raise student fees to cover spring-semester costs. Democratic legislative leaders accused Mr. Romney, who is considering running for president, of courting conservative voters at the expense of state needs. Romney said the budget reductions were needed to make up a fiscal shortfall that occurred when the Democratic-controlled legislature transferred money from a state rainy-day fund to use for other spending.