As a boom-time governor in oil-rich Alaska, the vice-presidential candidate has approved increased funding for higher education, including a $20.5 million operating budget increase for state universities for the 2009 fiscal year.

But Palin does not seem a simple yes-”man”: She also vetoed energy research and other programs endorsed by the Alaska state Legislature, in addition to vetoing an endorsed increase for tutoring and distance learning for the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program.

Palin’s position on federal earmarks (of which universities are often big beneficiaries) has been in the spotlight. Most notably, McCain praised Palin for putting a stop to the infamous $400 million “bridge to nowhere” project. She has warned against relying too heavily on earmarks, while implicitly acknowledging the value of earmarks in some, though fewer, cases. Scott Jaschik adds:

In this way, her statement is not much unlike the love-hate relationship many in higher education have with earmarks. Many at colleges and universities dislike that earmarks undercut peer review and competitive grant processes, but also appreciate the stream of available federal dollars.