Education

Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a nonpartisan research group, says UMass's role as a catalyst is often overlooked, but its research and graduates, most of whom stay in the state, create "a very powerful combination'' for the state's economy. "One of the keys,'' he added, "is they've recognized that they have to master their own future, and steer their own course.''

"I don't believe (they) will have any difficulty recruiting superintendents," said Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation. "We're still talking about a very generous benefit."

Michael J. Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said he supports funding for public higher education, but the massive fiscal crisis in state government will not end any time soon. The budget problems will be especially bleak for the fiscal year that starts in July of next year when stimulus money could be gone.