This year's legislative session could ring in big changes for UNM students.
The Legislature, which opens its session today at noon, will consider a number of issues that will affect how much students pay for tuition.
UNM has nine specific funding requests in addition to three recurrent issues.
The University is working with the Council of University Presidents to lobby for full-formula funding, a faculty and staff compensation increase and a low increase in tuition.
The Commission on Higher Education makes funding recommendations to the Legislature using a formula based on enrollment. UNM is asking for the complete funding according to the formula.
UNM is also asking for a 4 percent raise for staff and faculty, including money for increased health insurance costs.
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The third issue calls for a minimum tuition credit. When considering UNM's funding, the Legislature can build in the budget a tuition credit, an expected increase in tuition that will fully fund the University's budget.
The governor's proposed budget calls for a 4 percent increase in tuition, and the Legislative Finance Committee has a 3 percent increase in its budget, ASUNM President Kevin Stevenson said.
The state appropriation made up 19 percent of UNM's revenue this fiscal year, which began in July.
The Lottery Scholarship
Gov. Bill Richardson is proposing changes to the Lottery Success Scholarship.
One of his proposals suggests creating a flat rate for the scholarship. Under the proposal, each scholarship recipient would receive the same amount of money.
Under the current system, recipients get the amount of tuition, no matter their school's tuition rate.
The proposed revamp is one of ASUNM's main lobbying concerns.
"The lottery is first and foremost what we'll be up there for," Stevenson said.
If enacted, the lottery scholarship would not pay around $600 a semester for UNM tuition, Stevenson said.
The governor is also suggesting expanding the scholarship to students at private, nonprofit universities, students who with less than a 2.5 GPA in their first semester, and those who begin college within two years of high school graduation.
THE START:
The 2005 Legislature, formally known as the first session of the 47th Legislature, convenes at noon today.
THE FINISH:
The session, as required by the state Constitution, adjourns after 60 calendar days at noon on Saturday, March. 19.
THE MAKEUP:
The Senate has 42 members, 24 Democrats and 18 Republicans. The House has 70 members, 42 Democrats and 28 Republicans.
PAY:
The New Mexico Legislature is not salaried, but members receive $141 a day during the session to reimburse them for expenses.
THE AGENDA:
During 60-day sessions there are no restrictions on the subject matter of bills. There were 1,902 bills introduced in 2003, the most recent 60-day session, and 439 became laws.
Among the main issues this year are a budget to finance state government, tax cuts and economic development incentives, tougher drunken driving laws, state financing for pre-kindergarten programs and election system changes.
