AU Legislative Alert

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AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Legislative Alert
2001 Special Session                             

February 27, 2001

Call to Action-Higher Ed Under Assault
Call the Governor and Legislature
Auburn Appeals to Alabama Supreme Court

POLITICAL HEAT TURNS UP: YOUR CALLS ARE ESSENTIAL!
The House Ways and Means Education Committee has voted to support Governor
Siegelman's plan to increase proration for Higher Ed from 6.2% to 9.8%.
In dollars, the 6.2% reduction cuts state funding to the AU System to
almost $13 million; the 9.8% reduction would slice $20.3 million from the
Auburn University System budget.  We cannot afford to lose these dollars
and we are fighting hard for equal treatment with K-12.

Rep. Tim Parker (R-Tusc) tried to amend House Bill 2.  The Parker
amendment would have spread proration equally between Higher Ed and K-12.
We lost the vote 10-3.  Those supporting the favorable Higher Ed Bill: Tim
Parker, Tuscaloosa; John Rogers, Birmingham; Mike Hubbard, Auburn.

Ways and Means members voting against Higher Ed yesterday were James
Buskey, Mobile; Jeremy Oden, Vinemont; Jeff Dolbare, Bigbee; Tommy Carter,
Elkmont; Richard Lindsey, Centre; Betty Carol Graham, Alex City; Mac
Gipson, Prattville; Todd Greeson, Ider; James Thomas, Selma; Joe
Carothers, Dothan; Abstaining: Patrick Jones, Huntsville; Absent: Yvonne
Kennedy, Mobile

During the Ways and Means hearing, State Finance Director Henry Mabry
admitted a deal was constructed to find funds for the 2-year colleges.
The 2-year school presidents have dropped their opposition to the
Governor's plan to shift the burden of proration primarily on the 2-year
and 4-year schools.

SENATE STANDS TALL
The Senate Republican and Democratic caucuses have both said they will
only support a plan that treats K-12 and Higher Ed the same.  Today the
Senate Finance and Taxation Committee voted unanimously to give a
favorable report to SB24 which reduces all segments of education equally
by 6.2%.

UNIVERSITY FILES APPEAL
Judge McCooey denied our request to stay her ruling and we are now
appealing to the Alabama Supreme Court.  The Supreme Court is expected to
rule before 5:00 p.m. today.

Call Governor Siegelman and Your Legislators Today!
Ask them to support reducing all segments of education equally.
That is the only fair solution.

Governor's Office: 334-242-7100  
House of Representatives: 334-242-7600
Senate:  334-242-7800
For legislators' phones:  www.legislature.state.al.us/misc/zipsearch.html