Fourth-quarter funds restored
On Tuesday, Gov. Charlie Crist released the funds he initially withheld from each state agency’s fourth-quarter release.
In March, the governor decided to hold back 15 percent of the total appropriation for each agency was initially not released in order to allow monitoring of the economic outlook and factoring in monthly revenue and federal stimulus implications.
"The release of all remaining funds is recognition that the anticipated general revenue deficit for fiscal year 2008-09 has been resolved," said Jerry McDaniel, the governor’s budget director.
The 15 percent holdback prompted FAMU’s administration to recommend a four-day work week from May 29 to August 7, which was recently approved by the Board of Trustees.
Tuition up, spending down
As expected, the Florida Legislature continued its long-established pattern of using tuition increases as a cover to decrease overall spending on public higher education.
A bill permitting every state university to raise tuition by up to 15 percent “differential” that goes beyond the rates set in the annual appropriations bill is headed to the governor’s desk. It is expected to receive his signature.
In the meanwhile, the state House and Senate are continuing negotiate proposed cuts to the State University System. The House still wants to slash $200 million from universities.
Bill telling BOG to “back off” clears Senate
SB 234, which clarifies the authority of SUS boards of trustees, cleared the Florida Senate on Tuesday.
The legislation calls for trustees to exercise the exclusive power to appoint and supervise the institution’s chief executive.
Last year, Florida’s Board of Governors introduced a controversial proposal to increase its presence in the hiring and evaluation processes for university presidents. The idea met fierce resistance from boards of trustees across Florida.
SB 234 is widely seen as a rebuff of the BOG’s desire to exercise more control over university administrations.
FAMU facing 15% 4th quarter budget reduction
Bill to clarify BOT authority
Now a bill to eradicate the BOG is in order! Obviously its just the playground of UNF, FIU and others to pad resumes.
ReplyDeleteThe legislature is making the BOG more and more irrelevant every session. The chancellorship is about to became like many presidencies in the system - nothing but a comfty payoff for retiring politicians.
ReplyDelete