Volume 8	April 12, 1999	Number 7

Conferees were named and the conference process began during the sixth week of the legislative session. Senate President Toni Jennings and House Speaker John Thrasher have asked the conferees to complete their work by Wednesday, April 14th. Education conferees met throughout the weekend, working out the differences in their budgets. Differences not worked out by the 14th will be "bumped up" to the leadership to resolve. At the time of this writing, the conferees had not yet addressed the university issues.
Committee work has concluded in the House. The Senate Education Committee will meet today and again next week. There are several important issues pending before the Senate Education Committee (see Spotlight on Bills). The budget committees will continue to meet until the conclusion of the session, reviewing substantive legislation with a fiscal impact. Meanwhile major issues addressing telecommunications, election reform, education reform and abortion will continue to be debated on the floors of the House and Senate.
But all work and no play makes busy legislators cranky. But last week offered lots of opportunities for them to socialize. FSU Day at the Capitol on April 6th was a huge success. The Pep Band got the crowd going with spirited music, and the FSU Circus, Jazz Pop Ensemble, and theater students, as well as the Boys Choir of Tallahassee, all performed to an appreciative audience. Many wore our school colors to make it a truly garnet and golden day. The Speaker's Ball was held that same night on the FSU campus, and both the House and Senate held member reunions last week as well.
As always, I welcome your comments and questions and appreciate your input during this busy time of year. I can be reached at 644-4453 or by e-mail at kdgly@govrel.fsu.edu.



1999 EDUCATION CONFEREES ANNOUNCED Senate President Toni Jennings and House Speaker John Thrasher announced the 1999 Education Conferees last Tuesday. The conferees are appointed to work out the differences between the House and Senate budgets.

Senate Chair: Senator Don Sullivan (R, Seminole) Senator Charles Clary (R, Ft. Walton Beach) Senator Mario Diaz-Balart (R, Miami) Senator Betty Holzendorf(D, Jacksonville)
House
Chair: Representative Steve Wise (R, Jacksonville) Representative Cynthia Chestnut (D, Gainesville/ FSU alum)
Representative Lee Constantine (R, Altamonte Springs)
Representative Evelyn Lynn (R, Ormond Beach) Representative Marjorie (D, Tallahassee)
House Alternates:
Representative J.D. Alexander (R.Lakeland)
Representative Willye Dennis (D, Jacksonville)

Conference Differences Education Committee
There are many differences to be resolved yet in the budgets for the State University System. Some of the differences include:
* TUITION: The House proposes a 5 percent differential, to be spent by each institution. The Senate proposes a 10 percent across the board, to be used to fund enhancements.
* ENHANCEMENT FUNDING: The House funds $69 million of the $72 million enhancement fund proposed by the Chancellor. The House did add proviso language which would send the university's share of the funds directly to the individual institutions. FSU's share of the proposed enhancement funding is 15 percent. The Senate appropriates $54 million for enhancements, but uses the tuition hike to fund it, along with $20 million in general revenue. The Senate sends the money to the BOR for their disbursement to the universities.

CHALLENGE GRANTS: The Senate combines the Challenge Grant programs with deferred maintenance and appropriates just under $75 million to the BOR for their distribution. The House appropriates just over $ 18 million for the Challenge Grant Program and nothing for deferred maintenance.

Continued - See Spotlight