June 23,2002

Dear Colleagues:

The July issue of the MSCA Perspective will be mailed to members' home address early in the July. This issue includes a complete report on the status of the FY 2003 state budget and detailed spreadsheets comparing the House and Senate versions. The budget currently is in conference prior to its final approval by the House and Senate.

An important action for MSCA members to take is to contact the conference committee members to urge their support for the Senate's position on library materials and resources (the Senate budget has $5 million; the House budget has $2.6 million), and to urge support for S 581, an amendment to allow the colleges and universities to refill as many positions lost to early retirement as funding will permit.

Members of the budget conference committee include Senate Ways & Means Chairman Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield), Senator Frederick Berry (D-Peabody), House Ways & Means Chairman John Rogers (D-Norwood), Representative Nancy Flavin (D-Easthampton) and Representative John Lepper (R-Attleboro).

The MSCA statewide office will be closed for two weeks beginning June 24th. The office will reopen on July 8th and will be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Mondays only throughout the summer. Voice mail and email will be checked daily.

Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable and productive summer.

Pat Markunas
MSCA President

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6/23/02