FY11 Operating Budget
The House Finance Subcommittee closed out the university's FY11 operating budget request this past week, cutting the Governor's budget by $2.3 million. The amended budget does not support additional energy costs borne by UAF due to weather and energy cost increases, nor does it support a request to fund new costs associated with two new facilities, (the Integrated Science Facility in Anchorage, and the additional cost to UAF now that the State Virology Building is on line.) In addition, the members considered a future funding formula to fund the operating budget based on state general fund support as a percentage of the total funds the university raises elsewhere.
Happenings:
UA Student Governance Coalition members met in Juneau this past week to learn about the legislative process and meet with legislators on issues important to their membership, including needs-based funding for students. Many of the students learned about the process the hard way as they flew throughout Alaska and Seattle trying to land in Juneau during a very foggy weekend. Needless to say, not all made it into the capital city, and some have plans to try again. Those members that did make it into Juneau were able to meet with many legislators and staff, and met with the UA Boosters Caucus, as well as UAF Chancellor Rogers and Dept. of Education Commissioner Larry LeDoux. Kudos to all the students who participated – in and out of Juneau!
Special Note:
The House Finance Committee has posted times and locations for their only statewide teleconference on the FY11 state operating budget March 2nd and 3rd. This is your opportunity to tell the legislators what is important to you about the university budget in terms of programs, research, outreach, and higher education in Alaska.
What to expect in the next few weeks:
Many members of the legislature will be traveling to Washington DC to attend the annual Energy Council meetings, so expect committee hearings and floor sessions to be in recess until March 9th. Once they get back, the House will be in full gear to pass the FY11 state operating budget, and the Senate is already having subcommittee hearings on the same subject, with the intent to get their version of the budget on the Senate floor by March 22nd or so.
The UAF Alumni Association will be in Juneau March 21-23 to meet with legislators and staff about issues important to the organization, including the Life Sciences Facility, deferred maintenance funding, and legislation dealing with education tax credits, and the Governor's Performance Scholarship program.
Also note that when the operating budget deliberations are being finalized, the capital project budgets will be under discussion. While it is typical not to see the results until the very end of session, it's not too early to send in letters of support for Life Sciences, and deferred maintenance at UA. The session ends April 19, 2010.
The House Finance Subcommittee closed out the university's FY11 operating budget request this past week, cutting the Governor's budget by $2.3 million. The amended budget does not support additional energy costs borne by UAF due to weather and energy cost increases, nor does it support a request to fund new costs associated with two new facilities, (the Integrated Science Facility in Anchorage, and the additional cost to UAF now that the State Virology Building is on line.) In addition, the members considered a future funding formula to fund the operating budget based on state general fund support as a percentage of the total funds the university raises elsewhere.
Happenings:
UA Student Governance Coalition members met in Juneau this past week to learn about the legislative process and meet with legislators on issues important to their membership, including needs-based funding for students. Many of the students learned about the process the hard way as they flew throughout Alaska and Seattle trying to land in Juneau during a very foggy weekend. Needless to say, not all made it into the capital city, and some have plans to try again. Those members that did make it into Juneau were able to meet with many legislators and staff, and met with the UA Boosters Caucus, as well as UAF Chancellor Rogers and Dept. of Education Commissioner Larry LeDoux. Kudos to all the students who participated – in and out of Juneau!
Special Note:
The House Finance Committee has posted times and locations for their only statewide teleconference on the FY11 state operating budget March 2nd and 3rd. This is your opportunity to tell the legislators what is important to you about the university budget in terms of programs, research, outreach, and higher education in Alaska.
What to expect in the next few weeks:
Many members of the legislature will be traveling to Washington DC to attend the annual Energy Council meetings, so expect committee hearings and floor sessions to be in recess until March 9th. Once they get back, the House will be in full gear to pass the FY11 state operating budget, and the Senate is already having subcommittee hearings on the same subject, with the intent to get their version of the budget on the Senate floor by March 22nd or so.
The UAF Alumni Association will be in Juneau March 21-23 to meet with legislators and staff about issues important to the organization, including the Life Sciences Facility, deferred maintenance funding, and legislation dealing with education tax credits, and the Governor's Performance Scholarship program.
Also note that when the operating budget deliberations are being finalized, the capital project budgets will be under discussion. While it is typical not to see the results until the very end of session, it's not too early to send in letters of support for Life Sciences, and deferred maintenance at UA. The session ends April 19, 2010.
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