AEA Legislative Report

A report from Wayne Haddy, AEA Government Relations Specialist, for the week ending June 24, 2011.

Vol. XXX No. 21

The Latest
While the General Assembly still attempts to find agreements that will allow them to finally adjourn, we have a pretty good feel for what awaits the AEAs when that adjournment finally and thankfully is reached.

Barring a last minute miracle, we anticipate a fund reduction of $20 million for the AEAs. The Governor and House Republicans had been requesting this figure. Senate Democrats were at a $10 million reduction, and this week agreed to go with the $20 million figure. The only issue then to be resolved is whether it is a one or two year reduction. The bill passed by the Senate this week is for just a one-year reduction, but with the Governor insisting on a two-year budget, we do not know where this will end up.

There has been a great deal of frustration with this session. Despite generating much information and making several presentations during the session detailing why AEAs need balances, that our administrative numbers are continually being reduced and that salaries are not out of line, we are continually bombarded with these issues, and they are used as a reason to reduce our budgets. Nothing rooted in fact, but a convenient excuse to take funding from us.

Allowable Growth
Also yet to be resolved is the allowable growth rate. The Governor and the House are still insisting on a 0% growth rate for the next two years. The bill passed by the Senate this past week provides for 0% in 2011-12 and 3% for 2012-13.