Legislative Update - April 19, 2003

Several key issues have arisen from the Alabama Legislature since our last update. I want to update each of you on a few bills that have been introduced this session, and the status of these bills.

Many of you are aware of HB 565, the “out-of-state tuition” bill. This legislation would eliminate the current statue of allowing colleges and universities to extend in-state tuition rates to students who live within a 50-mile radius. This bill would strike a major economic blow to the well being of many institutions in the state. This is a critical issue for Troy University Dothan and Phenix City.

Dr Barbara Alford, interim President Troy University Dothan, has written an excellent position paper on this subject. It was printed in The Dothan Eagle, circulated to other newspapers in the state, and given to every member of the House and Senate. The message was clear that Troy University did not support this bill.

We need to thank our local delegation from Dothan, Troy and Phenix City for derailing this legislation for at least this session. We also thank our colleagues at South Alabama, North Alabama and West Alabama for their support in this endeavor.

Another piece of legislation of concern to Troy University and the Higher Education Family is SB 374/HB 571. These bills would shift the cost of higher education retirees’ health benefits from the Public Education Employer Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP) line in the education budget to the operating budgets of colleges and universities. This would result in an unfunded mandate to higher education of approximately $25 million. This bill only shifts cost, it does not raise additional revenue, nor does it reduce an expense to the taxpayer. This would create additional financial stress on university budgets at a time when funding for state universities is declining.

Please contact your state representative and senator encouraging opposition to these bills. You can locate your respective legislator through the link provided on this web site.

GO TROJANS!