With less than two weeks left in the 90-day session scheduled to adjourn April 15, here is where UA stands:
FY13 operating budget status (PDF)
Tthe Senate Finance Committee has passed out their version of this
budget and has endorsed the House numbers as well as add on a few more
increments for the university. Overall, the Senate budget is $4.9
million above the Governor’s proposed amended budget and $.6 million
above the House budget.
The Senate passed the FY13 operating budget on April 4. The next step
is for a Conference Committee on the operating budget to be appointed.
The six-member committee consists of both co-chairs of the House and
Senate Finance Committees as well as one other member from each body.
Senators Hoffman and Stedman will represent the Senate, and
Representatives Thomas and Stoltze will be on the House side.
Once the Conference Committee is appointed, the legislature goes under
the ’24 hour’ rule, meaning bills will be moving very quickly out of
committees and passed over to the other body if they are to pass this
session.
FY13 Capital Budget status
The Senate is currently holding onto the capital budget for the time
being, and the House is waiting for them to reveal what is included in
this bill. The House will still need to act on their version once it is
passed over to them. Expect action on this budget late in the session.
This is one of the key pieces for adjournment, and it is typically acted
upon as one of the last items on the adjournment calendar.
The Senate Finance Committee is reviewing oil and gas issues at the
present time, and no resolution has been reached. There is speculation
of a special session or an extension of the current session to deal with
this issue.
Special note: Now would be a good time to send letters of thanks
to the co-chairs of the House and Senate Finance Committees for their
support of the university. The university has fared very well this year
thanks to the efforts of many active advocates and legislators who
understood the importance of funding the requests; however, until the
Governor signs the budget, everything is still in play.
