This year’s regularly scheduled legislative session came to an end on May 1. As you may have read, the Legislature adjourned without passing a state budget due to the House and Senate’s difference of opinion about Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Health Care Act.
The Florida Constitution requires the Legislature to pass a budget by June 30, the end of the fiscal year. A special session has been called for June 1 to 20 to address the issue.
We need your help in making sure we keep FIU on the minds of our legislators! We urge you to reach out to your state legislator and encourage him or her to continue supporting FIU once the special session begins. A few specific initiatives you may want to mention are:
- $20 million for Campus Expansion
- $7 million for FIUnique, supporting our programs for individuals with unique abilities
- $2.5 million for the STEM Transformation Institute
- Funding for facilities such as the School of International and Public Affairs building and the Satellite Chiller
If you would like more detailed information about FIU’s budget priorities and how you can further assist in advocacy efforts, feel free to reach out to the Governmental Relations team at (305) 348-3505.
Once the House and Senate reconvene, each chamber will approve their respective proposed budget, and the two will enter into what is known as conference, a process through which the chambers negotiate to align their budgets and agree upon one final state budget to send to the Governor for approval.
Due to the abrupt end of the session, many legislative proposals were not considered or did not make it through final passage. Some issues such as performance funding measures and restrictions to graduate tuition did not become law, but may still be included in legislation related to the budget during the special session.
Our team in Tallahassee continues to monitor the situation closely and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your support of FIU and for helping us to continue being Worlds Ahead!
Click here to support FIU’s legislative advocacy efforts!