UCW-CWA leaders and several student supporters spent Tuesday in Nashville lobbing members of the General Assembly. As everyone is aware, at the start of the session the budget situation was rather grim. This situation has only worsened over the past 3 months. According to the Governor’s latest calculations the state now faces a shortfall of nearly $470 million this year. President Petersen’s email this afternoon addresses the UT administration’s take on these developments.
Read on for the latest analysis of state budget considerations
Next Monday Governor Bredesen will present an update budget. For all that we heard in Nashville we expect to see major cuts to Higher Ed’s budget. Some of the harder figures that are being thrown around a cuts between 3 and 5% - or roughly $55million.
On the raise front, support for any kind of increase in salaries is quickly evaporating. Many have said that if Bredesen is able to push forward with layoffs any pay raises would be next to impossible.
Some members of the legislature feel that there are still ways to offset these shortfalls without such massive cuts. The state currently has a $750 million “rainy day” fund. Additionally there are $2.7 billion in sales tax exemptions currently on the books in Tennessee, and a whole host of other tax loopholes that some in the House are considering closing to help lessen the impact.
Even after Bredesen presents his budget to the General Assembly, the state house and senate must weigh in on the final outcome. It is important to remember that every member of the state house is up for re-election this year, along with half of the state senate. They are the ones that have to ratify any budget cuts.
We know that folks are feeling beaten down by this process, the end of the semester, etc. But we have to try to keep people’s fight up. We can make a difference, and frankly already have. We are combining the emails into a Legislative Campaign 2008 page on the website. Also, please try to come out to the events Cameron announced earlier today.
In Solidarity and Struggle,
Tom Smith – UCW-CWA Local President