WVU representatives are hopeful the 78th legislative session, launched Wednesday night (Jan. 10) with Gov. Joe Manchins third State of the State address, will bode well for the University.
The governor focused largely on initiatives for coal mine and workplace safety, new workforce education programs, tax changes and health care, but also called for pay raises for teachers and state workers.
The governor proposed a nearly $4.2 billion general and lottery revenue state spending plan that includes funding increases for higher educations base budget, research and the higher education grant program.
The governors budget calls for a $5 million increase in higher education base budget funding (1.75 percent); a $7.5 million increase in funding for research; and an $8 million increase in funding for the higher ed grant program.
For the first time in several years, the governors budget proposal includes significant funding increases for higher education,said Dave Miller, executive officer for government and community relations at WVU .We applaud Chancellor Brian Noland for his efforts to get this additional funding into the governors proposal.
Miller said its a very good start, and the University is hoping to build on it.
This is the governors spending proposal, and of course, the House and Senate will have theirs,Miller said.A lot can happen over 60 days. Were cautiously optimistic WVU and higher education in general will fare well.
WVU Vice President for Health Sciences Dr. Robert DAlessandri applauded Manchin’s efforts to improve health care throughout the state of West Virginia.
His proposals continue to address health issues important in the state. The information technology initiatives, including e-prescribing, can have a significant effect on reducing errors and cost, much like MERLIN , our health information system currently in design, which will be implemented in the future,DAlessandri noted.
The Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, which includes the CARDIAC project developed by Dr. Bill Neal, a pediatric cardiologist at WVU , will continue to evaluate the health of West Virginians and take the steps towards improvement,he added.We congratulate the governor for his work, and will continue to work together to improve health care in West Virginia.
The governor also cited West Virginia Games for Health, in which the popular video game Dance, Dance Revolution (DDR) is used to help children develop a more active lifestyle. WVU researchersin cooperation with the Governors Office, PEIA and othersare currently conducting research to determine the health benefits of DDR .
Leaders of some of WVU s various constituency groups liked, for the most part, what they heard.
WVU Faculty Senate President Parvis Famouri said the governors business and economic development initiatives were impressive.
His efforts will encourage the state to become more business friendly, and
his initiative to provide broadband to West Virginia homes is commendable,Famouri said.
WVU Staff Council Chair Terry Nebel said the governors speech was positive overall and proactive from a broad perspective.
The governor clearly has a plan in mind for this legislative session and one would suspect it will include good things for higher education as well, since much of his speech centered on economic development and educational opportunities for our youth,Nebel said.I believe many employees will question his intention with the announced raises, in that he probably needed to be more specific with his across the board intentions.
Both Miller and Paul Martinelli, classified staff representative to the WVU Board of Governors and Advisory Council of Classified Employees, believe the 2.5 percent across-the-board pay raise for teachers, school service personnel and public employees announced by Manchin also includes higher education employees.
Martinelli is hoping lawmakers will go even further when it comes to raises.
Since he made reference that state workers would receive no less than $600 and a cap of $1,200, I am assuming this would include higher education,Martinelli said.
The regular session of the Legislature runs through March 10.