G O V E R N M E N T A L   R E L A T I O N S

LegisLetter

Volume 6, Number 1

March 3, 1997


Even though the 1997 Legislative Session does not begin until tomorrow, March 4, history has already been made: For the first time in 122 years, the Florida House of Representatives is lead by a Republican majority. With this historic event come many changes. The House committee structure has been completely reworked, and a new set of rules govern the lower chamber. These changes will probably impact the process, but to what extent remains to be seen. A first worth mentioning makes this Legislature unique; both the Senate President, Ms. Toni Jennings and the House Speaker, Mr. Daniel Webster, are from the Orlando area. This means there is a high concentration of power in both houses from central Florida.

Except for these political and structural changes, there are no "new" issues this year. Issues regarding higher education and its funding will once again be in the spotlight. Access to education, management efficiency, distance learning, financial aid and performance based budgeting will be debated, dissected and maybe even decided on over the next 60 days.

But all work and no play makes for cranky legislators, staff and lobbyists! On April 9, as part of our "Ten Days of Gold" celebration, we are planning "FSU Day at the Capitol." It will be a day of honoring our legislative alumni while featuring our magnificent institution of higher learning. In short, it will be a "garnet and golden" day!

As always, I welcome your comments, questions and concerns, and value your insight and knowledge. You can reach me at 644-4453 or e-mail kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu.

Kathleen Daly

The Office of Governmental Relations
110 Westcott Building
Tallahassee, FL 32301-1059
Phone 644-4453 Fax 644-2888

Kathleen M. Daly, Director
Laura Samala, Coor. of Info. & Public Service
Linda McCorvey, Executive Secretary

BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS


The only action the Legislature is constitutionally required to take during the 60-day session is to pass an annual balanced budget. The budget process and its outcome is of equal importance to us at Florida State University. Both the Governor and the SUS have made their budget recommendations to the Legislature, who will begin work on their own budget. The following is a summary of both the Governor's and State University System's budget recommendations:

GOVERNOR'S BUDGET

  • The governor proposes an increase in General Revenue funding for Education at $534.7
    million above the current amount.

  • The increase in General Revenue for the SUS would be 4.7 percent.

  • Tuition is recommended to be increased by 7.95 percent, which will generate an
  • additional $22 million for the SUS.

  • This increase will be used for library resources, student-related technology, financial
  • aid and other student-related issues.

  • An additional $27 million is earmarked to address an enrollment growth of 3,608 FTE.

  • The Governor allocates $14 million for the Challenge Grant Program and $14 million for
  • the Matching Partnership Program.

  • There is $22.1 million allocated for salary needs.

    STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM RECOMMENDATIONS

  • The SUS is proposing a 19.25 percent increase in General Revenue funding over the
    current year budget.

  • $29.6 million for enrollment growth specials, including the development of a 3-year
    degree program at Florida State University.

  • $25 million for Enhanced Undergraduate Education, which will allow each university to
    provide better instructional, advising, counseling and student related services to students.

  • $45.5 million for salary increases, the Teacher Incentive Program, and the Professorial
    Excellence Program.

  • $31.8 million for the Challenge Grant Program, and 25.8 million for the Matching
    Partnership Program.

  • A 10 percent tuition increase, which would rank Florida 45th in the nation, up from
    49th.

    SPOTLIGHT ON BILLS


    The Board of Regent's 1997 Legislative Proposals include the following bills: (some of these proposals do not yet have a bill number)

    UNIVERSITY MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCY, sponsored by Representatives Lee Constantine and Marjorie Turnbull in the House(HB 755) and Senators Buddy Dyer and John Grant in the Senate, includes the following proposals:

    *Credit Card Payment
    *Proceeds from Sale of Surplus Property
    *Construction Authority
    *Property Acquisition
    *Property Inventory Records
    *Bid Protests
    *Purchasing Flexibility
    *Presidential Contracting Authority
    *Board of Regents Contracting Authority
    *Board of Regents Reporting of OPS Employment
    *Accountability Consolidation of Reporting

    ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, sponsored by Senator Charles Williams in the Senate and Representative Everett Kelly in the House.

    Section 120.57 of the Administrative Procedures Act does not define "substantial interest" and, thus, its adjudicatory provisions are often invoked by employees of the universities in spite of the fact collective bargaining and/or the university grievance procedures are in effect to adjudicate and resolve essentially the same personnel issues. The proposed bill provides that any proceeding in which the substantial interests of a State University System employee are determinable under an applicable collective bargaining agreement or other applicable grievance procedure would not be covered under S.120.57.

    TECHNOLOGY FEE AND SCHOLARSHIPS, sponsored by Senator George Kirkpatrick in the Senate, includes a:

    *Technology Fee of no more than $50 per semester per student.
    *Provides for an in-state residency status for National Merit, Hispanic, and Achievement Scholars.

    EQUITY ACCOUNTABILITY, sponsored by Senator Betty Holzendorf in the Senate (SB 408) and Representatives Marjorie Turnbull and Cynthia Chestnut in the House:

    Equity Accountability Reporting requires that each State University System institution develop a comprehensive plan designed to increase the number of women and ethnic minorities in senior level administrative positions, academic administrative positions, and ranked faculty positions. It is therefore proposed to amend this act so that each university's Affirmative Action Plan, required pursuant to federal mandates, will correspondingly satisfy the reporting requirements mandated by this section.


    SESSION SCHEDULE

    March 3-7, 1997


    HOUSE

    TUESDAY, MARCH 4
    10:20am-11:00am
    2:30pm-3:30pm

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
    8:30am-12:00pm

    THURSDAY, MARCH 6
    8:30am-10:00am


    SENATE

    TUESDAY, MARCH 4
    10:00am
    2:00pm-3:00pm

    WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
    9:30am-1:00pm

    THURSDAY, MARCH 6
    3:15pm-5:00pm

    FRIDAY, MARCH 7
    9:30am-12:00pm