Legislative Update:
CSU Legislative Day ­ Sacramento, April 3, 2000

The California State University held its annual systemwide CSU Legislative Day April 3 in Sacramento. This was an opportunity for delegates from all 23 campuses to meet with members of the state legislature to discuss critical issues related to higher education, the CSU, and individual campus needs. President John Welty and campus legislative liaison Sandra MacNevin met with members of the Central Valley legislative delegation, including Senators Jim Costa and Charles Poochigian; and Assembly Members Sarah Reyes and Mike Briggs. Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, vice chair of the CSU Board of Trustees, joined Welty and MacNevin during visits with Valley legislators.

CSU Delegates Advocate 6 % Faculty Compensation Increase to Close the Faculty Salary Gap. The focus of discussion by CSU delegates was on advocating the adoption of the Governor's budget for the CSU, as the budget makes its way through legislative committees during the month of April and early May. In addition, the CSU delegates urged legislators to allocate an additional one percent in funding for faculty compensation in order to close the faculty salary gap within the CSU. Governor Davis has included a five percent compensation increase for faculty and staff within the CSU; however, the CSU is requesting an additional one percent for faculty compensation. CSU Delegates urged legislators to include an additional $10 million in the CSU's base budget for the 2000-2001 fiscal year in order to address this critical need.

CSU Delegates Advocate $196 Million in Supplemental One-Time Funding. CSU delegates also advocated for an additional $196 million for the CSU in one-time funding in light of the anticipated budget surplus which is now estimated to be approx-imately $6-8 billion. On May 15, 2000, Governor Davis will release the annual "May Revise" which is the Governor's revised budget based on the results of tax revenues collected by the state treasury. As a result of this anticipated budget surplus and in anticipation of the Governor's May Revise, the CSU is requesting the following supplemental allocations in one-time funding:

Technology Equipment. The CSU is requesting an additional allocation of $69.72 million in one-time funding to accelerate the technology infrastructure build-out on CSU campuses. Fresno State would receive approx-imately $7.7 million of funds if this allocation is included in the Governor's May revision of the budget.

Equipment for Scientific and Technical Programs. The CSU is requesting an additional $15 million to fund equipment in high cost programs such as agriculture, biology, computer science, engineering and nursing. Each CSU campus will benefit from this allocation if it is included in the Governor's revised budget in May.

Equipment for Teacher Education Programs. The CSU is requesting an additional $15 million to equip CSU faculty members with the computer equipment they need to train future K-12 teachers in the classroom use of technology.

Instructional Equipment Replacement. The CSU is requesting $35.5 million to replace instructional equipment on CSU campuses. This represents the cost to replace and refresh obsolete and outdated instructional equipment, in accordance with state-recognized standards.

Library Materials. The CSU is requesting an additional $12 million in funding for library materials. This funding would restore libraries' purchasing power for books, serials and other information resources to levels prior to budget restrictions of the early 1990s.

Deferred Maintenance. The CSU is requesting an additional $34.4 million to reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance by 10 per-cent. This proposal would begin to reduce the deferred maintenance backlog with the hope that future investments will eventually address the total need.

FEMA-Related Equipment. The CSU is requesting $15 million for federal-related equipment at CSU Northridge, CSU Monterey Bay, and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. Campus delegations urged their legislators to support the CSU's supplemental budget request for one-time funding in these areas for a total of $196 million.

Information on the status of the CSU Support Budget for 2000-2001, the Governor's budget (which was released in January of 2000), and the CSU's request for supplemental one-time funding is available by contacting Sandra MacNevin in the Office of the President at (559) 278-8-2324 or by e-mail at sandra_macnevin@csufresno.edu.