Joint Finance Committee approves budget bill, sends it to the Assembly

On the morning of May 29, the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) completed its work on the 2009-2011 State Budget bill (AB 75). After months of public hearings, deliberations and votes, the Committee made its final modifications to the Governor’s bill, approving it on a party-line vote 12-4.

The bill now proceeds to the State Assembly for consideration. It is expected that the Assembly could begin voting as early as June 9. Legislative leaders in both houses have expressed their goal of completing the state budget by July 1, 2009, the date on which the next fiscal year officially begins.

The following documents reflect the current status of the Governor’s budget bill, as amended by JFC, and its impact on the UW System:

• Fact Sheet: UW System Operating Budget (Revised 6/2/09)
• Fact Sheet: UW System Capital Budget (Revised 6/2/09)
• Budget Statement: President Reilly's Message to all UW System faculty and staff (6/1/09)
• FAQ on Governor’s furlough directive [pdf] from State Office of Employment Relations (5/29/09)

Further updates will be provided as the state budget bill is acted on by the State Assembly. Once approved, the bill advances to the Senate for consideration.