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Supplemental
Bill Funds $5M for Baystate Alliance
A supplemental budget approved last week by the Legislature includes $5 million for a life sciences partnership with Baystate Medical Center and nearly $1.8 to fund the most recent contract with the Graduate Employee Organization. The measure, which also includes funding for pay raises for UMass Police officers, is awaiting action by the governor, who has until Aug. 10 to sign the bill, delete sections or suggest changes in the spending package. The funding allocated for the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Initiative can be used for either a proposed $75 million integrated sciences building on campus or a planned $15 million biomedical research facility in Springfield. The life sciences initiative is intended to build upon existing research collaboration between the campus and Baystate Medical Center. Both institutions will work with the city of Springfield to support research and instruction and to attract commercial investment in molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, medical instrumentation, biomedical engineering and bioinformatics. Construction of the Amherst and Springfield facilities is expected to support basic and applied research and instructional opportunities. Along with state support, the project is to be funded with a mix of federal and private sup-port. Some funding for the integrated sciences building is also expected to come from a bond issue. In a statement issued last week, Chancellor David Scott called the appropriation "a very positive step" for the partnership with Baystate. "Such research will not only benefit society in the decades to come, but will also position western Massachusetts as a leader in conducting high-quality research in this field," he said. Scott credited House Majority Leader William P. Nagle, Jr. (D-Northampton), Senate Majority Leader Linda Melconian (D-Springfield), Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) and the legislative leadership for their support of the initiative. Also included in the supplemental budget bill is $1,773,000 to fund the University's collective bargaining agreement with GEO. The two-year pact, which was ratified last September, covers the period from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2001. According to the GEO Web site, the hike promises annual raises of $300 to $500 for full-time graduate employees. GEO, which is affiliated with the United Auto Workers, represents about 2,500 graduate employees. The other campus-related item in the spending measure is $161,000 for pay raises for classified staff supervisors represented by Local 509 of the Service Employees International Union. In separate action, lawmakers approved a transportation bond bill that includes a $320,000 earmark to match federal funding for an "intelligent transportation center" in the College of Engineering. The bill is also on the governor's desk. |
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