April 6, 2009

Georgia State University Legislative Newsletter

General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die

Late Friday, April 3rd, legislators wrapped up their work at the Capitol and headed back to their respective home districts.  The 2009 legislative session is now over.  It was a great session for Georgia State University. 

Budget Highlights

Working right down to the wire, the final version of the $18.6 billion FY10 budget passed Friday afternoon.  It now awaits the Governor's signature.  It was an incredibly successful budget for Georgia State University. 

Highlights in the budget for the University System include:

• $9.6 million to acquire and develop an outdoor student recreation facility at Georgia State University.

Currently, there are 2,600 students living downtown, making it a vibrant, active campus.  Current projections are that almost 7,000 students will be living downtown on campus within the next few years.  With the increasing number of students living in downtown Atlanta, it is important to also provide adequate green space for students.

• $8 million to complete the Parker H. Petit Science Center at Georgia State University.

These funds will complete the build-out of the shell floor and restore 20,938 square feet of usable space to the building.  This project is “design ready’ and could be completed by the end of the calendar year.

• $1 million in equipment funds at the Alpharetta Academic Facility. 

The project involves the construction of a 53,500 square foot facility to be used in a collaboration between Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College.

• $108.6 million in new formula funds for the University System.

      Formula funds are the basic operating funds for all colleges and universities in the

University System of Georgia.  They provide funds for credit hour enrollment increases, operation and maintenance of new facilities, maintenance of existing infrastructure, and increased fringe benefit costs for items such as health insurance premiums. 

• $60 million to The University System for Major Repairs and Renovations.

Major Repairs and Renovations (MRR) program is designed to assist campuses with deferred maintenance of its buildings.  Georgia State University seeks $6 million of this USG total.

Thank You Lawmakers

It is time to thank our state lawmakers for their strong support of Georgia State University and higher education during the 2009 legislative session.  We want to especially express our thanks for the inclusion of funds for the science building and outdoor recreation facilities.  Please contact all of the leaders listed below.  Please help us maintain our reputation as the university that does the best job of showing our gratitude.  Thank you!

House Interns Luncheon

On March 24, Georgia State University hosted a special luncheon in the Capitol to recognize the outstanding efforts of the many college interns who served this session in the House of Representatives.  House Speaker Glenn Richardson, a proud Georgia State graduate, attended the event to salute the interns and his alma mater.

Thank You!

Your support is crucial to our success!  We thank you for giving your time and energy to support the goals of Georgia State!