TALLAHASSEE UPDATE

The House and Senate are now engaged in conferences to reconcile the budget differences. This is the House offer from last night. They will meet again this evening. We will report on that conference tomorrow.

House Offer #1 - Higher Education Conference

Workforce Education

(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for workforce education. This offer includes an overall reduction of 4.9% ($28.4 million) to total Fiscal Year 2007-08 funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.

(2)The House offers a modified position on the Ready to Work Prograrn of $1 1.5 million. This offer allocates $7 million in recurring funds from our 2008-09 allocation, and, in addition, immediately reverts and reappropriates $4 million from the current year funding for this program.

(3)In addition, the offer reverts and re-appropriates any remaining balance at the end of the year.

Community Colleges

(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for community colleges. This offer includes a reduction of 0.9% ($15 million) to total Fiscal Year 2007-08 funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(2)The House offer includes $2.1 million for the colleges involved in the State College System Pilot Project and $282,000 in recurring funds to implement the new baccalaureate programs approved by the State Board of Education in February.

State Universities

(1)The House moves toward the Senate position in funding for state universities. This offer includes a reduction of 1.2% ($41.6 million) to 2007-08 total funding. The House maintains the 6% tuition increase included in both the House and Senate budgets.
(3)The House accepts the Senate position on performance funding, New College Infrastructure, university financial aid, and IFAS Workload. We would also like to work with the Senate on proviso to ensure equitable reductions for IFAS programs.

Board of Governors

(1)House offers a modified position of a 4% reduction to salaries and benefits and a reduction of 2 FTE positions.
(2)The House accepts the Senate position on all other funding categories.