April 17,2003

Dear Colleagues:

The Romney administration proposals continue to attract great press coverage, even as legislative support fails to materialize. The 4/18 Chronicle of Higher Education featured the story prominently, and regional newspapers, such as the Berkshire Eagle, the Worcester Telegram and the Fitchburg Sentinel and Enterprise, continue to run stories. I have responded with many interviews and numerous letters to the editor, and I encourage you to send in your responses as well.

The next major issue will be the release of the House Ways & Means budget on April 23rd. We anticipate individual budget line items for the colleges, with a 15 to 20% cut for each one. These cuts would have devastating impacts on the campuses.

The MSCA Board of Directors has joined with the Higher Education Unions United to endorse campus-based legislative activities on April 28th and a large rally at the State House on April 29th. Please make every effort to support these activities, which will be focused on the budget debate. Please contact your local chapter president for further information.

The Senate Committee on State Administration will hold public hearings on the Romney higher education reorganization proposals on April 29th as well. The hearings will be in Room A-2 in the basement of the State House, beginning at 1:00 pm. I have requested to testify on behalf of the MSCA, and other higher education union presidents, as well as Peter Nessen, Steve Tocco, Judy Gill and representatives of Bain Company, will also testify.

The need for you to contact your local state representative to urge support for the restoration of state revenues has never been greater. Please take a few minutes to send an email, write a letter or make a phone call to your local rep. Thank you for your help at this most crucial time.

Sincerely,

Pat Markunas
MSCA President

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