December 8,2005

Dear MSCA Faculty and Librarians:

This morning, the House of Representatives passed the supplemental budget bill (H 4519) that contains the funding for our contract. The Senate adjourned its informal session prior to taking up the bill. We have assurances from the Senate leadership that the bill will be acted upon in the informal session scheduled for the Senate at 11:00 am on Monday, December 12.

Members who wish to do so can call their local senators and urge them to urge the Senate leadership to pass the supplemental budget bill on Monday.

Once the Senate has acted on the bill on Monday, it will be sent to the governor for his action. If he signs the bill within 10 days, it will be enacted as law. If he takes no action within 10 days, the bill automatically becomes enacted as law. The governor can also veto the bill within 10 days.

We have no reason to believe that the governor will veto the bill within this 10 day period. However, in the highly unlikely event that he does, the legislative leadership has made solid and public promises to override the veto as soon as possible. Veto overrides must be done in formal session, because a roll call vote must be taken. I have been led to understand that a formal session has been set for December 20th and, of course, formal session will resume in January. A veto override could be taken up at either time.

I must be honest and admit my disappointment that the Senate postponed consideration of this bill until Monday. However, I believe that the glass is "half full" and that senate action will take place on Monday. I will send another report as soon as I have confirmed information on the action taken.

Patricia V. Markunas,
MSCA President

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