After a mid-session break for the holidays last week, the Legislature will get back in the swing of making laws this week. The budgets are ready for conference but most of the major bills still need tweaking (see related budget story). The substantive committees hope to conclude their work this week.

Among several important bills still working their way through the process is the Bright Futures legislation. The Senate Education Committee last week voted to raise the minimum SAT scores required for a scholarship to 1050. up from 970 (seeSpotlight on Bills).

This Fifth week of the 9-week session will be especially busy. On Tuesday, April 6. the colors of the day at the Capitol will be Garnet and Gold! The third annual FSU Day at the Capitol begins when coach Bobby Bowden. quarterback Chris Weinke and defensive tackle Corey Simon open the House floor session. The day continues with displays of our impressive programs- performances by our Circus, Pep Band and theater students, and a luncheon ceremony honoring our legislative alumni.

Please feel free to contact me if you need copies of bills and their analysis. I always welcome your questions, comments and concerns. I can be reached at 644-4453 or by e-mail at kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu. Remember, you can watch the Florida legislature live every day on the Florida Channel. local cable channel 47, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Conferees will be announced today and the budget conference process will begin on Tuesday. The Senate allocates $2,282,429,223 for the SUS, the House $2,267,078,974. The House budget cuts $18.3 million in academic and non-academic administrative funds. Both chambers reduce Lottery funds to the SUS, with the House down to $2.2 million, and the Senate to $2.8 million.

The Senate includes proviso on enrollment management. Under this Senate proviso, FSU would take a $1.8 million cut. Adjustments to the FTE plans are intended to align it with estimated actual enrollment. Other adjustments are made using the new university classification as justification. Under this plan, then, FSU would get 264 graduate FTE's worth approximately $4.1 million.

The Senate and House fund the Chancellor's enhancement funds, which are discretionary dollars based on university priorities. The Senate allocates $54.2 million, the House, $69.9 million. If funded, this would be the largest, most flexible amount of dollars to the individual universities in decades.

The Senate appropriates $74,500,000 for the Challenge Grant Program and Critical Deferred Maintenance combined. The House appropriates ; $ 18,693,000 for the Challenge Grant Program, $0 for Critical Deferred Maintenance.

There is $17,687,997 in the House budget for the State lEmployee Fee Waiver program, $0 in the Senate bud-'get. The House appropriates $5,910,682 for Library Resources, the Senate $0. Plant, Operation and Maintenance is funded in the House at $7,807,540, in the Senate at $6,800,000.

Distance Learning programs are funded in both budgets. The Senate gives $1.5 million for distance learning infrastructure, the House $0. The Senate appropriates $375,000 for the Virtual Campus, the House funds nothing. The House funds the Florida Academic Counselor and Tracking System (FACTS) with $2.327,000, while the Senate does not. The House also appropriates $350,000 for the Postsecondary Distance Learning Institute, the Senate does not. Funding for distance learning at FSU would come out of the Chancellor's enhancement fund mentioned above.

The Senate Bill includes a PECO appropriation in the amount of $132,097,108, the House Bill, $149,911,657. FSU's total PECO allocation in the House is $31,504,220; the Senate allocates $12,636,000. The House includes funding for the FSU lab school and money for other improvements.

A salary increase of 2.6 percent for all state employees is proposed. If enacted, it would take effect on July I of this year. Finally, the House includes $50 million in General Revenue for medical education at FSU, the Senate has nothing.

 

Continued (see Spotlight on Bills)