February 2,2004

Dear Colleagues:

On January 28, the governor released his proposed state budget for FY 2005 (House One). A spreadsheet showing proposed funding for all higher education segments and central operations, plus a detailed analysis of the proposed outside sections of the budget that affect higher education employees, have been posted on the MSCA website.

Although the governor proposed funding for the long-awaited APA and AFSCME contracts plus a small increase in higher education funding for FY 2005, the proposals are less than the amount of money budgeted to higher education in FY 2003. Further, the governor has proposed changes in the state employee pension system and the collective bargaining law that have serious negative consequences for the faculty and librarians of the state colleges.

The first hearing on the governor's proposals for education funding will be held jointly by the House and Senate Committees on Ways & Means today, February 2, beginning at 10:00 am at Cambridge City Hall. I have been invited to testify and my testimony will be posted tomorrow on the MSCA website. This hearing is open to the public.

As always, we will keep the membership informed as to the progress of the debate over the budget and will alert you when action is needed. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Pat Markunas
MSCA President

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