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Advisory

Legislature Completes Session, Candidates Hit Campaign Trail
How to Affect the Political Outcome for Higher Ed

Legislature Completes Session, Candidates Hit Campaign Trail

The 2001-02 Alabama Legislative session is over, and campaigning for the June primaries and November general election is already underway. It is not too early to begin thinking of who would best hold The University of Alabama’s financial fate in their legislative actions and votes. For UA faculty, staff and students who wish to be active in the political process that determines employees’ livelihoods, there are actions to take now.

The 2002-03 education budget provides about 31 percent of the new money to higher education, well short of the one-third Gov. Siegelman promised to higher education. The University of Alabama System was appropriated an increase of about 2.5 percent over last year’s budget. Details regarding how the increase will affect salaries on the UA campus will come from President Andrew Sorensen in the near future. Any raises would become effective in the fall.

How to Affect the Political Outcome for Higher Ed

First, register to vote. According to legislators’ own words to members of UA’s Legislative Agenda Committee, the University was not thought of as a player at the political table until the recent past, when UA employees raised their voices at the ballot box and in the halls of the State House, demanding equitable funding.

Second, consider demanding from candidates that they commit to the 2-to-1 split of new money to K-12 and higher education. In the past, the percentage for higher ed had dropped to levels nearer 25 percent. Higher education has been pitted against the lobbying forces and money of the Alabama Education Association, which represents K-12. Be suspicious of overly generalized promises like "I support higher education."

Third, consider demanding that candidates commit to Constitution and tax reform. These reforms are the only guarantee of consistent adequate funding for education. Demands can be sent directly to legislators, whose addresses are located on the Alabama Legislature’s Web site at www.legislature.state.al.us.

Finally, get out and vote and urge others to do the same in the primaries and in November.

More information about issues is located on the UA Web site at the virtual address, http://governmentrelations.ua.edu.