Legislative Advocacy Archives - 2003

October 23, 2003

Fall 2003 Update

The Alumni Association proudly launches this new newsletter for selected alumni in Virginia who can help Virginia Tech by serving as advocates for public funding of higher education. As demands on General Fund resources increase, Virginia Tech and other educational institutions must intensify efforts to strengthen support from public appropriations. We welcome your comments on the kinds of information that would be most helpful to you on a periodic basis through this newsletter.

Thomas C. Tillar, Jr.
Vice President for Alumni Relations

University Priorities for the Next Biennium

Statewide Funding Initiatives

• Faculty Salaries,
• Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund,
• Maintenance Reserve, and
• Student Financial Aid

Virginia Tech Specific Needs

• Bioinformatics
• Base Budget Adequacy
• Cooperative Extension's Critical Staffing Initiative
• Food, Nutrition and Health Initiative

Hokie Day at the General Assembly
February 4 ~ Save the Date

Mark your calendar now for the 6th Annual Hokie Day at the General Assembly on Wednesday, February 4, when Hokies visit their legislators. We start with a continental breakfast at the Virginia Tech Richmond Office at 8:30 a.m. Additional information will be distributed in December.

Alliance for Virginia's Students: Making Students the Highest Priority

This summer four statewide groups (The Virginia Education Coalition, The Virginia Business Higher Education Council - which includes the higher education community and business leaders around the state, The Virginia First Cities Coalition, and The Virginia Association of Counties) formed the Alliance for Virginia's students to promote adequate public policy and funding support from the Commonwealth of Virginia for excellence in public education from pre-kindergarten through graduate studies, by engaging in informational and advocacy activities with the general public and state policy makers. The Alliance is building a statewide grassroots network of local governments, civic organizations and individuals concerned about education policy and funding in the Commonwealth.

You and other alumni can show your support for Virginia Tech and all levels of public education by signing up to participate in this grassroots network and education campaign. Signing up for the Alliance allows you to access information about how your local elected officials are voting on education issues. You will also receive notices about community forums being held in your area to discuss the priorities for educating Virginia's youth. Alumni chapters and other civic organizations are encouraged to pass resolutions in support of the Alliance's mission. A sample resolution can be found on the Alliance's website.

To sign up and get more information about the Alliance please visit their website at www.vastudents.org

Current Hokie Legislators

SENATE
John H. Chichester, Fredericksburg
Phillip P. Puckett, Tazewell
John C. Watkins, Midlothian

HOUSE
William K. Barlow, Smithfield
Thomas M. Bolvin, Alexandria
Frank D. Hargrove, Sr., Glen Allen
Robert D. Hull, Falls Church
Johnny S. Joannou, Portsmouth
Allen L. Louderback, Luray
Joe T. May, Leesburg
Michele B. McQuigg, Woodbridge
David A. Nutter, Blacksburg
G. Glenn Oder, Newport News
Robert D. Orrock, Sr., Thornburg
Harry J. Parrish, Manassas
John A. Rollison, III Woodbridge
Thomas D. Rust, Herndon
James M. Shuler, Blacksburg

Additional Hokie Candidates for the Upcoming Election
Mark H. Newbill, Rocky Mount
Kimble "Jay" Reynolds, Jr., Chatham
Edward T. Scott, Culpeper

December 19, 2003

Governor Warner Announces 2004-2006 Budget

On Wednesday, December 17, 2003, Governor Warner presented his amendments to the 2004 budget and his 2004-2006 biennial budget to the Senate Finance, House Appropriations, and House Finance committees. The Governor's budget recommended a number of tax reform strategies that have made headlines since being announced Thanksgiving week.

The Governor's budget includes new funding of $761 million for elementary and public education, $144 million for higher education, $97 million for prison security, $870 million for health and human services, and $392 for transportation. Funding for a 3% pay increase for state employee salaries for 2005 was also a component of the Governor's budget. Most of this new funding is contingent on his tax reform package passing.

Some of the higher education initiatives receiving new General Fund support in the Governor's proposed budget include:

• Need-based student financial aid
• Higher Education Equipment Trust Fund
• Virtual Library of Virginia
• Operation and maintenance for new facilities which begin operating next fiscal year
• Research funding for Mid-Atlantic Terascale Partnership

General Fund support of $82.1 million is included to offset a portion of the $397 in base adequacy needs identified at public colleges and universities by the Joint Subcommittee on Higher Education Funding Policies in 2001. Budget language was also submitted to allow institutions to raise tuition to help recover part of this funding.

In addition to these higher education initiatives common to all public colleges and universities, funding was also allocated for the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, a public/private partnership with Virginia Tech, Averett University, Danville Community College, and public and private bodies and organizations in Southside Virginia.

More information on the Governor's Tax Reform Package can be found at the following website: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Initiatives/TaxReform/index.htm

The General Assembly session begins on Wednesday, January 14. Revenue related legislation and budget language will be submitted to amend or change the Governor's budget.

Virginia Tech Alumni in the General Assembly