The 2001 Legislative Session officially begins tomorrow but the pace around the Capitol has been “session-like” since November. Because of term limits, over half the Florida House was newly elected, which required freshmen members to undergo introductory training. In addition, the Special Session in December to “settle” the U.S. presidential election, along with the usual committee assignments and meetings, made for a particularly hectic pre-session atmosphere this year.
After the election dust settled, Florida State University counted 17 alumni in the Legislature, including Senate President John McKay (Republican-Bradenton), Senate Ways and Means Chairman, Jim Horne (R-Orange Park), and Senate Majority Leader Jim King (R-Jacksonville).
Once again, this session’s biggest issue for the SUS and FSU will be the state budget (see related story). Other major issues include a reduction in the state’s workforce - by privatizing state personnel agencies and eliminating career service - election reform, judicial reform, the implementation of tax exemptions, and education governance. The latter will have a big impact on the State University System and our university (see Spotlight on Bills).
Plans for this year’s FSU Day at the Capitol, scheduled for March 29th, are being finalized. As always, it will be a Garnet and Golden day, which will allow us to honor our legislative alumni, promote our magnificent university, and celebrate our 150th anniversary.
During the course of the next nine weeks, I will keep you informed of the session’s highlights through this weekly newsletter. I welcome your comments, questions, and concerns, and value your insight and knowledge. Please feel free to contact me at 644-4453, or by e-mail, kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu. Also, please know that my assistant, Sarah Vaughan - svaughan@govrel.fsu.edu - and my executive secretary, Karen Thurber -kthurber@mailer.fsu.edu - will gladly assist you in obtaining session information.
The state’s latest revenue estimates won’t be released until this Friday, but lawmakers are preparing themselves - and the public - for bad news. In anticipation of revenue shortfalls, the Governor has recommended a five-percent decrease in the State Universities’ general revenue; the Senate has recommended a $67.5 million cut, while the House suggests a cut of $40 million. In other words, all indications are that our state’s universities should expect less revenue this year. This revenue shortage - coupled with a $900 million Medicaid deficit that lawmakers must fill and $300 million in tax cuts that legislators want to implement - could make this year’s budget process particularly painful. Anticipated cuts to Florida State University are as follows:
SENATE:
FSU
Medical School -- 25% reduction on $9.575 million
Total
reduction: $2.393
million.
FSU
Basic Sciences -- 25% reduction on $16.04 million
Total
reduction: $4.011 million.
Ringling
Museum -- 25% reduction on $2.250 million
Total
reduction: $562,500.
FSU
School of Chiropractic -- 25% reduction on $500,000
Total
reduction: $125,000.
FSU
Autism Center -- 15% reduction on $816,666
Total
reduction: $122,500.
SUS
State Employee Fee Waiver -- $9.5 million
Total
reduction: $9.5
million.
SUS
Public Broadcasting -- 50% reduction on $9.362 million
Total
reduction: $4.681 million.
In addition, the Senate also proposes that
one out of every ten faculty members teach an additional course, which would
trim the SUS budget by $43.7 million.
HOUSE
FSU
School of Chiropractic -- $500,000
Total
reduction: $500,000
FSU
Autism Center -- 15% reduction on $816,666
Total
reduction: $122,500.
SUS
State Employee Fee Waiver -- $9.5 million
Total
reduction: $9.5 million.
SUS
Public Broadcasting -- 20% reduction on $9.362 million
Total
reduction: $1.872 million.
In
his 2001 budget recommendations, the Governor included $15
million in capitol outlay for the continued
planning of our College of Medicine building and $3.8
million in general revenue for the operation of
our community campuses in Orlando and Pensacola.
