This report explains that the General Fund budget: (1) calls for $1,565.4 million for the FY 2009-11 biennium, including $781.2 million in FY 2010 and $784.2 million in FY 2011; and (2) maintains the State's primary student financial aid programs at FY 2009 funding levels, with Connecticut Aid to Charter Oak funded at 80.0 percent of full funding and the Connecticut Independent College Student Grant program (CICSG) along with the Connecticut Aid to Public college Students grant (CAPCS) at 80.5 percent and 55.0 percent of full funding, respectively. The Appropriations Committee recommends maintaining a separate Department of Higher Education. Funding for the University of Connecticut, Connecticut State University, the Connecticut Community College System and Charter Oak State College represents the restoration of 2009 rescissions. At the UConn Health Center, recommendations include additional funding of $10 million to recognize anticipated fringe benefit costs and $500,000 to continue funding for the Connecticut Health Information Network, an initiation which integrates state health and social services data within and across the Health Center, the Office of Health Care Access and the Departments of Public Health, Mental Retardation and Children and Families.