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(480)-965-5041 or (480) 965-4078
PO Box 873702
Tempe, AZ 85287-3702
advoteam@sundeviladvocates.org

Dear Sun Devil Advocate:

I am pleased to report that Arizona State University and the state’s university system as a whole fared well in the recently concluded legislative session. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to you for helping us achieve this favorable outcome. Your efforts in contacting legislators and expressing your support for an increased investment in Arizona State University were instrumental. Thank you!

The Second Regular Session of the 46th Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die on Wednesday, May 26, at 9:58 p.m. As you already know, the state budget ultimately adopted by the legislature, and signed into law by Governor Napolitano, represents a significant increased investment in the state’s university systems. Specifically, the approved budget for fiscal year 2005 provides the following increases:

• $13.5 million to Arizona State University for core funding.
• $7.9 million to the University of Arizona for enrollment growth.
• $2.5 million to Northern Arizona University for faculty support and retention.
• $16.1 million pay package to the Arizona Board of Regents for university employees.

The budget package also contains triggers authorizing $23 million for the employer portion of employee health insurance premiums. If state revenues exceed identified thresholds, and as of this writing it appears the revenues will, these monies will be allocated to state agencies and the universities.

The additional $13.5 million investment in ASU is being directed to our core mission – delivering a quality undergraduate education to a growing number of qualified students. ASU’s portion of the $16.1 million pay package for university employees will facilitate our efforts to retain valuable faculty and staff. The authorized trigger will help mitigate the impact of rising health insurance premiums on the university as an employer.

I should note that our success in budget negotiations would not have been possible without the leadership and support of Governor Janet Napolitano and the following legislators:

The Honorable Ken Bennett President of the Senate The Honorable Marilyn Jarrett Majority Whip, Arizona State Senate The Honorable Jack A. Brown Minority Leader, Arizona State Senate The Honorable Pete Rios Minority Whip, Arizona State Senate The Honorable Carolyn S. Allen Arizona State Senate The Honorable Barbara Leff Arizona State Senate The Honorable Jim Waring Arizona State Senate The Honorable Slade Mead Arizona State Senate The Honorable Harry E. Mitchell Arizona State Senate The Honorable John Loredo Minority Leader, House of Representatives

The Honorable Bob Robson Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Mark Thompson Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable James R. Carruthers Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Deb Gullett Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Carole Hubbs Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Bill Konopnicki Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Lucy Mason Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Michele Reagan Arizona House of Representatives The Honorable Meg Burton Cahill Arizona House of Representatives

I encourage you to contact the aforementioned legislators and thank them for supporting higher education and for increasing the state’s investment in Arizona State University.

Lastly, I will be writing to you in the near future to bring you up to speed on our legislative efforts for the 2005 legislative session. Until then, I wish you well and hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer. Thanks again for your continued support and…….Go Devils!

With warmest regards,

Scott A. Smith
Director, State and Local Relations
Office of Public Affairs
Arizona State University