President to testify at regional budget hearing

To the University Community:

Glenn Poshard

I would like to inform you of a Southern Illinois Regional Budget Hearing scheduled for Monday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at the Williamson County Pavilion, located at 1602 Sioux Drive (behind the Illinois Centre Mall) in Marion. Rep. John Bradley will be hosting the forum. It is one of a number of regional hearings that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is conducting on the governor's FY09 budget proposal.

The governor unveiled his budget request to the state legislature on Feb. 20. My assessment of the administration's proposed budget is that it faces widespread skepticism among legislators over both spending priorities and newly proposed revenues.

For Southern Illinois University, the budget news is mixed. The governor's FY09 budget calls for a reauthorization of his successful 2003 pension debt restructuring proposal. Based on past performance, this could lower the state's unfunded pension liability and make additional general revenue funds available for operating expenses. However, the proposed personal services line for SIU, which accounts for 92 percent of our state appropriation, is at last year's level. Other state agencies excluding education, health care and public safety-related agencies are slated for a 3 percent reduction.

I will be attending the budget hearing and providing testimony on behalf of the University. I intend to point out how detrimental a flat budget is for the success of our University and the concerns we have regarding the funding proposal for the state's Monetary Award Program for next fiscal year. Thousands of our neediest students rely on MAP funds to finance their college education, and increasing state student financial assistance will be a high priority for my office this year in Springfield.

Thank you for this opportunity to brief you on this important forum taking place in our community next week.