The House and Senate Conferees completed their work last week, just in time for the religious holiday break. Most of the SUS budget was settled, except for the medical issues at Florida State University and the law school issues at FAMU and FIU (see related story). These budget items have been “bumped up” to the leadership for resolution sometime this week. The Speaker and Senate President are also making some final decisions on fixed capitol and proviso language, after which the budget will be sent to the printer, probably by the end of this week.

Substantive committees wrapped up their work last week, with the exception of the Senate Education Committee. This committee met for the last time yesterday to hear the FSU medical school bill and the FAMU/FIU law schools bill. Both bills passed the committee unanimously. The medical school bill, SB 1692, must now go to the Fiscal Policy Committee before it can be heard by the full Senate next week. The House companion bill, HB 1121, will be heard by the full House this morning.

Other bills important to the SUS are still making their way through the process. The governance bill is still receiving a lot of attention by the media and around the capitol. The House’s version of this bill passed by a large margin last week and is now in the Senate; the Senate bill is also awaiting a hearing by the full Senate. The pension bills are also waiting to be heard in both chambers. It appears that there will only be changes effecting the special risk categories, including our campus police officers (see Spotlight on Bills).

The bulk of the remaining session will be spent on the floors of the respective chambers. Session is still on track to end next Friday at 6:00 p.m. To catch the remaining live (and lively) floor debates, tune into the Florida Channel (local cable channel 47), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. And, as always, I welcome your questions and comments anytime. Contact me at 644-4453, or by e-mail at kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu.

SUS Budget Issues

The following SUS budget items were settled by the conferees last week:

* Additional Library Resources - $10 million

* Enrollment Growth - Fully funded the SUS request of 5,000 FTE for $55 million plus additional FTE for UNF, UWF and FAMU.

* Museum and Carryforward cuts restored.

* Graduate Fee Waivers - $5 million for FSU, UF and USF

* 5 percent across the board tuition increase. President’s discretion for enhancement priorities $18.7 million.

* I-10 and I-95 Corridor - $1.5 million

* Branches, Centers and Partnerships -$8 million

* FACTS --$2.3 million

* Library Automation — $4.7 million
Quote of the Week

“ This is a culmination of about two and a half years and a lot of sweat and tears.”   Representative Durell Peaden (R-Crestview) referring to the FSU Medical School bill. Sarasota Herald Tribune, April 23, 2000.

Information Technology Management

SB 2474 by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Palm Harbor), creates a State Technology Office housed within the Department of Management Services to manage communications and information technology, the head of which would be appointed by the Governor. The bill has passed through all of its committees of reference and is ready for the Senate floor.

UPDATE

Education Governance Reorganization: HB 2263 by Governmental Operations was passed by the House on a vote of 81 to 29. The bill now goes to the Senate. The comparable Senate bill, SB 1680 by the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Productivity, is still on a Special Order Calendar. There are differences between these two bills.

Designation of Buildings and Facilities: HB 827 by Governmental Operations has been retained on the Special Order Calendar. There has been an increase in interest in naming facilities, which has led to a flurry of amendments on this bill. SB 1446 by Senator Jim King (R-Jacksonville) is still on the Special Order Calendar.

New Universities: CS/HB 2447 by Representative Debby Sanderson (R-Ft. Lauderdale) has passed the Colleges and Universities Committee and is now under review in the Education Appropriation Committee. A substitute amendment failed by a 5-4 vote. However, a “strike everything after the enacting clause…” amendment made the bill into a one-year study and passed on a vote of 5 to 4. The Senate companion, CS/SB 2448 by Senator Don Sullivan (R-St. Petersburg), unanimously passed the Governmental Oversight and Productivity committee last week and is now in the Fiscal Policy Committee.

FSU Medical School: SB 1692 by Senator Jim King (R-Jacksonville, FSU Alum), was passed unanimously by the Senate Education Committee on Monday, April 24. The bill now goes to the Fiscal Policy Committee. Its House companion, HB 1121 by Representative Durell Peaden (R–Crestview), is currently on the special order calendar in the House. The bills are presently identical.

Bobby Bowden Field: SB 2316 by Senator Pat Thomas (D-Quincy) passed both the House and the Senate and has been sent to the Governor. The naming of the field will take effect the day after Coach Bowden retires.

Retirement: HB 2393 by Committee on General Appropriations (formerly PCB GA 00-16) has been referred to General Government Appropriations Committee. The bill would change the retirement system from a defined benefit program to a defined contribution program, allowing vesting at eight years and portability. SB 1026 by the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Productivity and Senator Ron Silver (D-North Miami) is still in Messages in the House. The bill reduces the average final compensation from the highest 5 years to the highest 3 years, and would allow vesting after five years for all member classes.

SESSION SCHEDULE
April 24-28, 2000

SENATE

Wednesday, April 26

9:30 a.m - 12:00 Noon

Wednesday, April 26

9:20 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 27

9:30 a.m - 12:00 Noon

Thursday, April 27

9:20 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, April 28

9:30 a.m - 12:00 Noon

Friday, April 28

9:20 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m.