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Action Alert Update

Dear UMass Advocate:

Thank you for promptly contacting your MA Representative in support of the UMass amendments to the House budget.

Your advocacy is bearing fruit, as the appropriations to the University's line items have increased and were unanimously approved 155 -0.

On May 14, 2002, the House adopted a consolidated higher education amendment, sponsored by Representative Peter Larkin [D-Pittsfield], House Chair of the Education Committee.

Legislators appreciate recognition of their efforts to respond to your concerns.

Please thank your Representative for supporting UMass.

Line Item 7100-0200 -- UMass system appropriation was increased by $14.2 million from $432.4 million to $449 million.

Overall the University's appropriation has decreased 2.5% from the FY 02 appropriation [$460.5 million].

The increased funding reduces the gap towards level funding, as the budget process heads into the Senate.

Line Item 7100-0500 -- Commonwealth College appropriation was increased $85, 750 back to $1.71 million.

Line Item 7077-0100 -- Library Reference Materials [ERM] appropriation was increased from $0 to $2.4 million. These funds are distributed among the 26 campuses of the public higher education system.

The funding in this account has been reduced from a high of $14 million in FY 01 to $5 million in FY 02 to the current level of $2.4 million for FY 03.

Line Item 7100-0444 -- UMass Endowment Incentive was increased from $0 to $2 million.

To contact your MA state Representative:

Call the State House Switchboard at 617-722-2000 and ask to be connected to your Representative's office.

Next Steps:

Call, write, or visit your MA state Senator before May 31, 2002 to support UMass.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee is composing the Senate's budget recommendations for FY 03. Please tell your Senator that UMass matters to you.

• The Senate Ways and Means Committee is expected to release its budget recommendations during the last week of May.

• Debate on the Senate budget is expected to begin the first week in June.

Your UMass advocacy works! Please contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.

DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE THE LOOP!

Make your actions count! Report your activities to Cheryl L. Dukes at 800-772-6155 or cdukes@urd.umass.edu. Updated May 16, 2002.