Alabama Has Education Budget

The Alabama Legislature passed a 2005-06 education budget in mid-May over Gov. Bob Riley’s veto of the bill. The budget provides a 6 percent teacher pay raise rather than the 4 percent Riley had submitted. Riley has called the $5.2 billion budget “fiscally irresponsible;” he fears it cannot be sustained and will mean future proration. The Legislature did not, however, pass a General Fund budget and will likely go into special session during the summer.

The University of Alabama System, however, is pleased with the education budget. UAS received close to what it requested. Higher education was allocated $1.38 billion of the nearly $5.2 billion budget.

The University of Alabama Board of Trustees will meet in mid-June to approve campus budgets, after which UA President Robert E. Witt will likely make announcements regarding merit raises for UA employees. UAS Chancellor Dr. Malcolm Portera is quoted as saying that there will be increases on the three campuses, although he could not state specifically how much.

State Budget Officer Addresses UA Employees

The UA Legislative Agenda Committee hosted a breakfast meeting after the budget was passed. Bill Newton, state budget officer, addressed the attendees. He explained the history of the Education Trust Fund and trends that resulted in higher ed and K-12 education being pitted against each other for fair funding. He also explained the 2005-06 budget and reasons for Riley’s veto.

According to Newton, the current state appropriation to higher ed is “way down.” Riley is trying to turn the trend back to the days before higher ed had to pit their needs against those of K-12 education in the state.

He also noted that the state has more money than usual this year, as tax receipts grew about 9 percent. But, he added, “next year, there will probably be zero increase.”

UA Home | Dialog Extra | UA News | Faculty/Staff Links | Legislative Updates