In my decade of attending meetings in our State Capitol, I don't recall a more productive meeting than the one with the Governor, Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Education leadership. These meetings were all scheduled Tuesday, March 20, 2001.
The Governor was very honest in telling us that he will not back off in the decisions made regarding the classified employee=s salary schedule and benefits. In reply to my question AWhat message should we, as employee representatives, take back to our campus from the Governor?@ Tell your staff that I will be honest in working with institutional presidents and higher education employees. There is limited funded for salary increases. The State economy has only grown by 1.4% this year. During the 1990's this growth was in the range of 3.5%, which was sufficient to fund SB 547 for five years. At the rate of the current growth it will not be possible to make the financial commitment that was made by the Legislature in 1994.
Our discussion with the Governor covered a number of critical issues, with a strong focus on the need for an updated salary schedule. We recommended an allocation of $3.66 million for the next six years for a total commitment of $22 million. The governor responded by telling us that the money to address our recommendation is not available. The Governor did confirm that his budget calls for a $756 salary increase for higher education. It was the best this administration could do. Estimates call for revenue up to $100 million within two or three years from the gray machines (video gaming), if passed this session Of this amount, 50% is projected for 2003 that could be dedicated for a multi-year salary package. Without this additional funding and considering the stagnate economy growth, the prospect for the projected salary increase becomes more difficult.
The Senate Finance Committee meeting included a presentation by Chancellor J. Michael Mullen. He reported that Glenville State College is one of several institutions that are experiencing financial problems, with Bluefield soon to follow. The Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) will have the responsibility of implementing plans, guidance and directions in these areas: * Cultural shift for service to citizens * Moving forward will cause some conflict * Changing the budget request distribution may be necessary and * Prepare for a cultural change for all higher education.
The Policy Commission assumptions call for institutions presently below 76.9% of their peer benchmarks to receive a proportional amount of Sustained Quality Support fund money and a proportional amount of the Peer Equity Fund money. The possibility of funding SB 653 should take precedent over the Budget Digest.
ACCE members met with the Senate Education Chair and Vice Chair for an update of "what is on the table."
The Governor, HEPC leadership and key legislative members all agree that higher education is recognized as providing the future State economic growth. If and when additional funding becomes available they have pledged to support higher education. These officials acknowledged that the State must invest more in Higher Education.