Gov. Bob Wises proposed state spending plan for next fiscal year would trim West Virginia Universitys fiscal year 2004 budget by $18-24 million, University officials said Thursday (Jan. 9).
Wise outlined his proposed 2003-04 state budget during his State of the State address to lawmakers Wednesday night, calling for $200 million in state spending cuts and an additional $17 million a year in personal service expenses. He also wants each agency to absorb increased costs for insurance and for employeeshealth care coverage and pensions.
“Were still holding out hope next years cut wont go that deep,”said Dave Miller, special assistant for external affairs to WVU President David C. Hardesty and chief legislative liaison for the University.”But if it does, we are prepared to take the necessary steps to meet the reduction although it will be difficult and costly. Our goal is to maintain the highest quality of education while trimming areas that wont impact that objective.”
The 10 percent reduction would remove about $17.9 from the Morgantown campuss base budget, said Scott Kelley, vice president for administration, finance and human resources at WVU . An additional 3 percent cut in personal service expenses also ordered by the governor could push that figure up to $24 million, he said.
“Were still working to get clarification from the governors office on how the additional 3 percent cut will affect the University since we dont have a personal services line item,”said Kelley.”If it is tacked on to the 10 percent, we could be looking at cutting another $5-5.5 million.”
WVU officials have been preparing for the reduction since last fall when Gov. Wise ordered all state agencies �€including higher education �€to begin looking at ways to trim their fiscal 2004 budgets.
“Given the budget picture, well certainly be limited in advocating for new measures this session, especially if they carry a price tag,”said Miller, who spent eight years in the West Virginia Legislature from 1988-1996.”Instead, well be working to maintain the status quo and try and keep what we already have.”
Miller said University officials have discussed several new legislative initiatives, but whether they are pursued in Charleston will depend on the budget.
WVU and its regional campuses were forced to trim about $6.8 million from the current budget when the governor announced in November a 3.4 percent mid-year cut.
“It should be noted what Gov. Wise proposed Wednesday night is simply that: a proposal,”Miller said.”Lawmakers can and often do make changes, so we probably wont know the final numbers until early March, toward the end of the session.”
Other WVU reaction to State of State
“West Virginia doctors should celebrate,”said Dr. Robert M. DAlessandri, dean of the school of medicine and vice president for health sciences at WVU .
DAlessandri, reacting to Gov. Wises medical malpractice proposals announced Wednesday night, said they are aimed at the heart of the problems facing the states medical community.
“The governors proposals make the tort system fairer and they offer a needed financial boost to physicians who are hit with a huge bill for �€~tail coveragewhen theyre forced to switch insurers,”DAlessandri said.”Taken together, this is the boldest medical malpractice reform package any governor has attempted in the country.”
He predicted the measures, if passed, would help keep WVU School of Medicine graduates in the state.”The medical students are watching now to see what the Legislature does. Theyll be making decisions this spring, and the outcome of the debate will definitely have an impact on many of their choices.”
WVU Board of Governors member Paul Martinelli, who also serves as legislative committee chair for the Advisory Council of Classified Employees, described the governors message as a”good, typical State of the State Address.”
“Each address seems to focus on a pressing problem; this time it was the issues with physicianstort concerns,”Martinelli observed.”I truly believe that there will always be a more pressing problem or issue that takes center stage and moves higher education further down the chart on areas that the Governor will address.
“I realize from over two decades of experience that if a residing governor does not mention specific issues for higher education or other agencies, it is a most difficult task to expect that agency to benefit during the 60-day session.”
Martinelli applauded Wises mandate to reduce state government, but added,”This is an excellent move only if he truly follows through and does not move positions around like a game of checkers.”
He also expressed disappointment that the governor did not mention several issues ACCE and other classified employee groups have discussed with him over the past year, such as removing the 20 years of service increment cap and offering solutions for halting increasing PEIA costs.
Martinelli will travel to Charleston Wednesday, Jan. 15, with other ACCE representatives to meet with the Governors Chief of Staff Mike Garrison and Special Assistant Keith Burdette. The group plans to discuss a number of items ACCE would like to see addressed during the 2003 legislative session, such as fairness in all state agencies sharing reductions in the states 2003-04 budget, continued progress toward full funding of the Higher Education Classified Employees 2001 Annual Salary Schedule and a statewide severance benefit plan similar to the 1996 WVU model and the WVNET 2002 model.
Martinelli said WVU s Staff Council members also intend to travel to the State Capitol later this month to meet with key legislators and local delegates.